Bronze featherback

Bronze featherback is a species of fish belonging to the family Notopteridae, commonly found in South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is also known as the knifefish or clown knifefish due to its unique shape and coloration.

Description

The Bronze featherback is characterized by its elongated, knife-like body and a long, continuous dorsal fin that extends to the tail, giving it the appearance of a feather. The body color is typically a bronze or silver hue, with a series of spots along the dorsal fin. The fish can reach a length of up to 100 cm, but is typically around 50 cm in length in captivity.

Habitat and Distribution

The Bronze featherback is native to the freshwater bodies of South Asia and Southeast Asia, including countries such as India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Cambodia. It inhabits slow-moving or still waters, including rivers, lakes, and flooded fields.

Diet and Behavior

The Bronze featherback is a nocturnal species, feeding primarily at night. Its diet consists mainly of smaller fish and invertebrates. It is known for its unique hunting method, where it uses its long, thin body to navigate through narrow spaces and surprise its prey.

In Aquaculture

The Bronze featherback is popular in aquaculture due to its unique appearance and behavior. It is often kept in home aquariums, although its large size and aggressive nature can make it a challenging species to keep. In its native countries, it is also harvested for food.

Conservation Status

The Bronze featherback is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction. However, habitat loss and overfishing pose potential threats to its population.

See Also

• Notopteridae
• Aquaculture
• Conservation status