Clown featherback facts for kids
The clown featherback (Chitala ornata) is a cool fish known by a few names, like clown knifefish or spotted knifefish. It's a nocturnal (night-active) fish from warm, tropical waters. This fish has a long, flat body that looks a bit like a knife!
Quick facts for kids Clown featherback |
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Clown knifefish are found in freshwater places like rivers and swamps. They are originally from countries in Southeast Asia, such as Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Sometimes, they are moved by people to new places. When this happens, they can become an invasive species, which means they might cause problems for the local fish.
People often keep these fish in aquaculture (fish farms) or as pets in aquariums. They can grow very big, up to 1 m (3.3 ft) long! Because of their size, they need a really large tank.
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Where Do Clown Knifefish Live?
This fish naturally lives in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Laos, Macau, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. You can find them in big rivers like the Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers.
They have also been taken to other places by people. These include the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and even Florida in the United States.
What Do Clown Knifefish Look Like?
The clown knifefish is easy to spot! It has a shiny, silvery-gray body that is long and flat, like a knife. Its long fin on the underside helps it move smoothly.
Adult fish usually have five to ten black spots. These spots have white rings around them, making them look like eyes. These "eye-spots" are how you can tell them apart from a similar fish, Chitala chitala. As the fish grows, its spots might get smaller.
Young clown knifefish don't have spots. Instead, they have stripes on their bodies. Their long bottom fins help them swim gracefully, moving both forward and backward.
This fish can grow quite large. In the wild, it can reach up to 1 m (3.3 ft) long and weigh about 5 kg (11 lb). It has two small feelers above its mouth, which is big and has teeth. It has a small fin on its back that looks like a flag, but it doesn't have fins on its belly.
How Do Clown Knifefish Behave?
Clown knifefish are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night or during twilight. They usually hunt for live food. They will try to eat any fish that can fit into their mouths!
Young clown knifefish often stay together in groups. They like to hide near logs or plants in the water to feel safe. As they get older, they become more protective of their space and often live alone.
These fish can also breathe air! This helps them survive in water that doesn't have much oxygen. Clown knifefish like water that is around neutral pH (not too acidic, not too basic). They prefer temperatures between 75 to 85 °F (24 to 29 °C). You can usually find them in lakes, swamps, and quiet parts of rivers.
Keeping Clown Knifefish as Pets
Clown knifefish are sold in pet stores, but remember, they grow very large! Most home aquariums are not big enough for them.
These fish like to have places to hide. So, if you keep one, its tank should have caves, plants, or other hiding spots. They are also known to jump, so make sure the tank lid is closed tightly! Dim lighting can help them feel more comfortable and less likely to jump. When you first get a clown knifefish, it might be shy and hide a lot. But as it gets bigger, it often becomes quite bold.
What Do Clown Knifefish Eat?
Clown knifefish are good eaters! They enjoy live foods like small feeder fish, ghost shrimp, and blackworms. Over time, you can teach them to eat other foods, like beef heart or even commercial fish pellets. Since they are nocturnal, they often prefer to eat when the lights are off.
Clown Knifefish as Food
The clown featherback is a popular food fish in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. In Thailand, it's often deep-fried and called pla krai thot krathiam. It's served with a spicy dipping sauce. This fish is also commonly used to make fish balls.
See also
- Bronze featherback
- List of freshwater aquarium fish species
- List of Thai ingredients
Images for kids
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An adult clown knifefish for sale in a market in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
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Deep-fried pla krai (clown knifefish) with garlic, a popular dish in Thailand.
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