# Giant featherback vs Asian arowana: the differences

> How do the Giant featherback (Chitala lopis) and Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) differ? Classification, features, range, diet, size, IUCN status and legal protection, from cited sources.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/differences/giant-featherback-vs-asian-arowana/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/perbedaan/ikan-belida-dan-arwana-asia/
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The giant featherback (Chitala lopis) and the Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) share the order Osteoglossiformes but belong to different families: Notopteridae and Osteoglossidae. Range in Indonesia — the giant featherback: Java, Sumatra and Borneo; the Asian arowana: Sumatra and Borneo (Kalimantan), especially West Kalimantan.

| Aspect | [Giant featherback](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/giant-featherback/) | [Asian arowana](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/asian-arowana/) |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Chitala lopis | Scleropages formosus |
| Indonesian name | Ikan belida | Arwana asia |
| Class | Actinopterygii | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Osteoglossiformes | Osteoglossiformes |
| Family | Notopteridae | Osteoglossidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Java, Sumatra and Borneo | Sumatra and Borneo (Kalimantan), especially West Kalimantan |
| Endemic to Indonesia | — | No |
| Key features | Flat, high-backed body; anal fin joined to tail | Large scales, two chin barbels, male mouthbroods the eggs |
| Diet | Mainly fish, also insects and small vertebrates | Young: surface insects; adults: fish, frogs, large insects |
| Diet type | carnivore (meat-eater) | carnivore (meat-eater) |
| Reproduction | laying eggs (oviparous) | laying eggs (oviparous) |
| IUCN status | Extinct — 2019 assessment, before the 2023 genetic study | Endangered |
| Legal protection | Protected (Regulation P.106/2018) | Protected (Regulation P.106/2018) |

Every cell comes from the sourced data on each animal’s page.