Chitala chitala

Chitala chitala (, , ) is a knifefish from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, where found in the Brahmaputra, Indus, Ganges and Mahanadi River basins. It is sometimes known as the Indian featherback/knifefish. In the past it frequently included several related "Chitala" species, but these are now regarded as separate species. The main species confused with this species is "C. ornata" (clown featherback or clown knifefish); a Southeast Asian species seen regularly in the aquarium trade. The true "C. chitala" is very rare in the aquarium trade.
Description.
"Chitala chitala" reaches a maximum length of , but more commonly reaches about . It is overall silvery in color. Unlike all its relatives, it usually (but not always) has a series of golden or silvery bars along the back, resulting in a faint striped appearance. Additionally, it has a series of fairly small, sometimes indistinct, non-ocellated dark spots towards the far rear of the body (at the "tail"). This separates it from "C. ornata", which has ocellated spots (dark spots surrounded by a paler ring) and lacks bars along the back. The two species have frequently been confused.
As food.
Chital maasor Jul, Chital machher jhol or Chitala fish curry is a regional delicacy in Indian state of Assam, West Bengal and in neighbouring country Bangladesh. It is a major dish for the Assamese people of India.
In religion.
This species is based on Hinduism beliefs. It is one of the avatars of Lord Narayana (Vishnu), in the first episode titled "Matsya" that Narayana was born as a golden knifefish to kill the demon.