Bronze featherback


The bronze featherback is a fish in family Notopteridae found in South and Southeast Asia. Although primarily found in fresh water, it has been known to enter brackish water. At present it is the only member of its genus, but as currently defined it is likely a species complex.

Description

Young specimens are a dark bronze-like color that becomes lighter with age. The species reaches a length of up to.
The bronze featherback can easily be kept in an aquarium. Popular as food, this fish also appears in a stamp of the Kingdom of Laos.

As food

This fish is one of the fish species that has been used as food in Southeast Asia since ancient times. It is an important food item in Laos, Indonesia, and Thailand. It is preserved and prepared in different ways. Nam phrik pla salat pon is a variety of nam phrik with minced roasted pla salat eaten along with raw vegetables. It is popular in Khorat.
Although much smaller in size, it is similar in appearance to the Chitala ornata, another important fish in Thai cuisine.