Chitala lopis (Bleeker, 1851)
Giant featherback
Chitala lopis
photo by Jean-Francois Helias / Fishing Adventures Thailand

Family:  Notopteridae (Featherbacks or knifefishes), subfamily: Notopterinae
Max. size:  150 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Considered extinct by IUCN in 2019.

Asia: Borneo, Sumatra and Java in Indonesia, Malaya, and Thailand (Ref. 7050). Found in the Mekong basin (Ref. 12693).

Diagnosis:  Jaws increasing in length throughout life, extending far beyond posterior margin of eye in large specimens; small juveniles with slightly oblique bars on body and anal fin; larger juveniles and adults with plain body, overall silvery to bronze in life (Ref. 43281).
Biology:  Inhabits mainstreams and forest streams (Ref. 58784). Feeds on fishes, probably has a crepuscular or nocturnal activity pattern (Ref. 12693). Other food of this species includes insects and small vertebrates (Ref. 58784).
IUCN Red List Status: Extinct (EX); Date assessed: 29 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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