[3] This species is native to Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Laos, Macau, Thailand, and Vietnam, where it is found in the Mekong, Chao Phraya, and Meklong River basins.

[2] It has also been introduced to regions outside its native range, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Palm Beach County, Florida, United States.

The clown knifefish grows to a fairly large size, up to 1 m (3.3 ft) and 5 kg (11 lb) in the wild.

Young clown knifefish usually school near water logs and plants for security, whereas more mature specimens usually become territorial and eventually become loners.

Clown knifefish are sold as exotic fish in pet stores, but they grow much too large for the average home aquarium.

Clown knifefish are hearty eaters, and will take live foods such as feeder fish, ghost shrimp, and blackworms.

In Thailand, when deep-fried as pla krai thot krathiam, it is served with a spicy dipping sauce on the side made by mashing up coriander roots, bird's eye chillies, and garlic, and mixing this with fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar.