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Clown Featherback
Chitala ornata
📍 Southeast Asia
The Clown Featherback is a large, distinctive freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia, known for its elongated body and impressive feather-like dorsal fin. This nocturnal predator requires substantial space and specialized care, making it suitable for experienced aquarists. It is a fascinating but demanding species that can live for many years in properly maintained conditions.
Care Guide
Diet
Clown Featherbacks are obligate carnivores requiring a diet of live or frozen fish, large shrimp, and other meaty foods. Feed juveniles 2-3 times weekly and adults 2-3 times per week, adjusting portions based on size. Avoid feeding goldfish due to thiaminase content; instead offer feeder fish like silversides, mackerel, or specialized carnivore pellets.
Behavior
Nocturnal and highly predatory, the Clown Featherback is an ambush predator that remains relatively inactive during the day and hunts actively at night. This species is solitary and extremely aggressive toward tankmates, particularly other fish of similar size. It uses its sensitive lateral line system to detect vibrations and movements in the water.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is extremely rare and poorly documented. Sexual maturity occurs around 4-5 years of age, and spawning requires very large tanks with specific environmental triggers. Eggs are adhesive and parents may show some guarding behavior, but raising fry is exceptionally difficult due to their large size at birth.
Tank Mates
Similar size and predatory nature; may compete or fight; requires careful monitoring
Large predator; potential for aggression; only in very large tanks with ample space
Comparable size and predatory behavior; risk of conflict in smaller enclosures
Large aggressive predator; may prey on featherback or vice versa; requires massive tank
Large omnivore; may compete for food; needs very spacious tank to minimize aggression
Surface-dwelling predator; different hunting zones may reduce conflict but both are aggressive
Common Diseases
Ichthyophthirius (Ich)
White spots on body and fins, excessive scratching against tank surfaces, labored breathing, lethargy
Raise water temperature gradually to 28-30 C (82-86 F), perform 25% water changes daily, use aquarium salt at 1 teaspoon per gallon, or treat with copper-based medication following label instructions; maintain excellent water quality
Bacterial Infections
Fin rot, body lesions, open sores, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, color fading
Perform 50% water change immediately, improve water quality and filtration, treat with broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, maintain optimal water parameters, isolate if possible to prevent spread
Parasitic Infections (Flukes and Tapeworms)
Excessive mucus production, flashing behavior, weight loss despite feeding, visible worms in feces, lethargy
Treat with antiparasitic medication such as praziquantel or levamisole following dosage instructions, perform frequent water changes, improve tank sanitation, quarantine infected fish if in community setup
Swim Bladder Disorder
Difficulty maintaining buoyancy, floating at surface or sinking to bottom, loss of balance, inability to swim normally
Reduce feeding temporarily, offer easily digestible foods, maintain stable water temperature and quality, perform partial water changes, may resolve with improved conditions; severe cases may be permanent
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Carnivore - feeds on live and frozen fish, shrimp, and large invertebrates
- lifespan
- 15-20 years
- max size
- 100 cm (39 in)
- tank size
- 200 gallons minimum
- temperament
- aggressive
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0-7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 4-10 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)