The Giant featherback (Chitala lopis) is a freshwater fish of the family Notopteridae that grows up to 150 cm.
Description
The giant featherback is a large knifefish (Notopteridae) from fresh water of Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 1.5 metres and has a strongly compressed, rearward-tapering, silver-grey body with a long, undulating anal fin fused with the tail, with which it swims gracefully forwards and backwards. As a nocturnal predator it hunts fish and crustaceans in rivers. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Giant featherback?
The Giant featherback has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.
Where does the Giant featherback live?
The Giant featherback lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.
How big does the Giant featherback get?
The Giant featherback grows to a maximum of about 150 cm.
Is the Giant featherback dangerous to humans?
No, the Giant featherback is harmless to humans.
Is the Giant featherback edible?
The Giant featherback is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Chitala
More from the family Notopteridae
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