Source: Wikimedia Commons
Redtail Catfish
AdvancedPhractocephalus hemioliopterus
A giant catfish from the Amazon and Orinoco basins, dark brown above with a white flank band and a vivid red tail. It reaches 135cm and 44kg, so an adult needs water measured in tens of thousands of litres.
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperature
21〜26℃
Size
Up to about 135cm
Diet
Prawns, mussels, cockles, lancefish, earthworms
About
Phractocephalus hemioliopterus is a giant pimelodid from the Amazon and Orinoco basins; FishBase records 135cm TL and 44.2kg. It is dark brown with a white flank band and a vivid red tail, and although it enters the trade as a juvenile it grows extremely fast. Seriously Fish gives 360 x 240 x 120cm - about 10,368 litres - as the absolute minimum for a full-grown fish, with 21-26C, pH 6.0-7.5 and 2-12 degrees hardness. Feed prawns, mussels, cockle, lancefish and earthworms; mammalian meat and feeder fish should be avoided as they cause health problems. Juveniles are fed every other day, adults at most once a week. It is relatively peaceful with fish of similar size but territorial towards conspecifics and other large pimelodids, so it is normally housed alone. Breeding is not thought to have been achieved in the hobby.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Size of the Redtail Catfish
The Redtail Catfish grows to Up to about 135cm.
Temperature & humidity for the Redtail Catfish
The ideal temperature for the Redtail Catfish is 21〜26℃.
Basic Info
Origin
South America (Amazon and Orinoco basins)
Size
Up to about 135cm
Temperature
21〜26℃
Diet
Care Specifications
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Hardness (GH)
- 2–12 dGH
- Water Temp.
- 21–26℃
- Min. Tank
- 10368 L
Semi-aggressiveSolitaryBreeding: Very hard
Sources: Seriously Fish / FishBase
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Phractocephalus hemioliopterus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Authority databases: FishBase
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listedIUCN LC · Least Concern
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Redtail Catfish Listings
Loading latest listingsFind listings for this species
