Fin's Fish Guide
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. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.
Is the Giant featherback edible?
The Giant featherback is rarely eaten.
More photos
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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
Want the complete picture on the Giant featherback?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Giant featherback is one of 12,519 species in the app.