Chitala is a genus of fish of the Notopteridae family. This genus contains six species, in which some are important in aquaculture and the aquarium industry. They are commonly known as the Asian knifefishes or featherbacks. They are native to freshwater in South and Southeast Asia. The largest fish in the genus (and also the family) is Chitala lopis, which grows up to a length of 1.5 m (4.9 ft). Other well-known species are the clown knifefish (C. ornata) and the Indochina knifefish (C. blanci).