Sumatran Featherback

About

Found in the rivers and lakes of Sumatra and Borneo, Chitala hypselonotus is one of the larger knifefish you'll encounter in the freshwater hobby, capable of reaching well over two feet as an adult. Like other members of its family, it can breathe air directly. A facultative air-breather that manages dissolved oxygen conditions most fish couldn't tolerate. Juveniles in the wild make use of shaded forest streams, but adults gravitate toward open lakes and wide, slow-moving rivers, which gives you a sense of just how much space a mature specimen needs. In the aquarium, this species is a dedicated carnivore, happily taking fish and crustaceans as its primary diet, and it does most of its hunting after the lights go out. Despite its size and predatory nature, it is generally considered manageable for keepers who have done their research, though the sheer tank volume required means it is really only appropriate for hobbyists who can commit serious space and filtration to the setup. Tankmates small enough to fit in its mouth will simply disappear overnight. Its skin has even been used commercially for leather goods in its native range, which speaks to just how robust this animal is. Plan for the long haul. These fish regularly live a decade or more.