Lives in lowland wetlands (Ref. 57235). Found in marshes, swamps and canals (Ref. 43281). Inhabits shallow sluggish or standing-water with a lot of aquatic vegetation. Occurs in seasonally flooded forests throughout the middle and lower Mekong (Ref. 12693). Undertakes lateral migrations from the Mekong mainstream, or other permanent water bodies, to flooded areas during the flood season and returns to the permanent water bodies at the onset of the dry season (Ref. 37770). Feeds on zooplankton, crustaceans and insect larvae. Processed into salted, dried fish in Java (Ref. 4929). Also marketed fresh and commonly seen in the aquarium fish trade (Ref. 12693). Aquarium keeping: minimum aquarium size 100 cm (Ref. 51539).