Indochina featherback
📖 Overview
Facultative air-breathing ; Apparently restricted to areas with fast flowing waters, deep pools or rapids . Prefer habitats associated with rocky substrates . Occur in the mainstream of the Mekong River. Avoids tributaries and swamps . Reported to undertake short, local migrations . Active during twilight and night. Feed on fishes, crustaceans and insects. Also take smaller vertebrates . Spawning sites are found in inundated forests . Mature adults breed during the rainy season. Occasionally seen in the aquarium trade. . Has been bred for several years in Thailand .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Distinguishable by the presence of numerous small black spots (in the anterior half of the body), merging posteriorly into irregular oblique bands extending on the anal and caudal fins . Differs from all other species except C. lopis in having a large round black spot at base of pectoral fin. In C. blanci pectoral basal spot present in juveniles as small as 6 cm and retained throughout life .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Indochina featherback is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Indochina featherback is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Female guards the fry (to be verified).
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous . Tropical
🌿 Ecology
fishes, crustaceans and insects
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Chitala Blanci is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Indochina featherback is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Indochina featherback has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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