| Notopteridae (Featherbacks or knifefishes), subfamily: Notopterinae |
| 120 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
|
demersal; freshwater, potamodromous |
| Asia: mainstream of the Mekong in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia and the lower course of some tributaries. |
|
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 (Ref. 27732). 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 (Ref. 7431). |
| Apparently restricted to areas with fast flowing waters, deep pools or rapids (Ref. 27732). Prefer habitats associated with rocky substrates (Ref. 37770). Occur in the mainstream of the Mekong River. Avoids tributaries and swamps (Ref. 7431). Reported to undertake short, local migrations (Ref. 37770). Active during twilight and night. Feed on fishes, crustaceans and insects. Also take smaller vertebrates (Ref. 58784). Spawning sites are found in inundated forests (Ref. 33813). Mature adults breed during the rainy season. Occasionally seen in the aquarium trade. (Ref. 12693). Has been bred for several years in Thailand (Ref. 7431). |
|
Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 23 February 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
|
Found in the mainstream of the Mekong River (Ref. 7431) where there is fast current and rocky substrates (Ref. 9497). Also known from a tributary of the Mekong in the middle Xe Bangfai basin near Mahaxai (Ref. 27732) and from Ban Hang Khone at Don Khone, 3 km below the fall line of the great waterfalls of the Mekong River system at Lee Pee (Ref. 9497). According to Ban Hang Khone fishermen this species enters the flooded forest in July-October and feeds on fish, shrimps, crabs and insects (Ref. 9497). Museum: Mekong at Ban Hang Khone just below the Khone falls, CAS 94784 (Ref. 5515). Also Ref. 30857, 36654, 37767, 37769. |
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