Chitala ornata (Gray 1831)

Distinguished from other members of the family by the presence of a row of large ocellated spots above the base of the anal fin (Ref. 27732). Differs from C. chitala in lacking silver or gold transverse streaks on dorsum and from C. blanci and C. lopis in lacking a basal pectoral spot (Ref. 7431).

Male guards the eggs (Ref. 12693).

Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Inhabits flowing waters of large and medium-sized rivers (Ref. 12693). Within the Mekong mainstream, it occurs in pools (Ref. 37770). Found in the basin-wide mainstream of the lower Mekong (Ref. 36667). A predator on surface-feeding fishes, crustaceans and insects, with a crepuscular or nocturnal activity pattern. Moves into inundated forest during the high water period from June to October. Individuals from the Great Lake are shipped to markets in Thailand (Ref. 12693).

fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial