Red Tailed Catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus)

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Red Tailed Catfish

Redtailedcatfish-1731.jpg
Red Tailed Catfish

Phractocephalus hemioliopterus

3785 Litres (1000 US G.)

127-152.4cm (50-60 ")

sg

Freshwater

pH

5.5 - 7.0

21.1-24.4°C (70 -76 °F)

9-10 °d

1:1 M:F

Omnivore
Pellet Foods
Flake Foods
Live Foods

2-10 years

Family

Pimelodidae

This animal is available captive bred



Additional names

Red Tailed Catfish, Redtail Cat, RTC

Additional scientific names

Silurus hemioliopterus, Phractocephalus bicolor, Pimelodus grunniens


Origin

Brazil's Amazon Rainforest

Sexing

Unknown, it is near impossible to visually sex this fish.

Tank compatibility

This fish is classed as a monster fish, despite being sold as juveniles at around 20.3-25.4cm (8-10") in pet stores, it will need a massive tank with a massive amount of filtration and will easily grow to about 4ft long with an enormous mouth to match. They can easily swallow smaller fish and are best kept with other similar sized semi-aggressive fish, but only if its home is exceptionally large at over 3785 Litres (1000 US G.).

Diet

Not a picky eater, will take most foods including shrimp. Will also accept fruit.

Feeding regime

Twice a day.

Environment Specifics

Needs a laterally long and wide tank or pond with room for it to turn around. Also needs a secure heavy lid as it can jump. Tank décor should include large solid and stable bogwood.

Behaviour

If kept in a space too small for this large fish it can become highly territorial and is perfectly capable of killing other fish. The Red Tailed Catfish is best kept alone unless an exceptionally large home can be provided for it.

Identification

Black body with a white belly, wide head with 3 sets of barbels. The tail is pink/red and the the dorsal and pectoral fins are edged with a white band. Albino or white variations have been seen, but are rare.
This fish has been hybridised with the Tiger Shovelnose Catfish, these will grow even larger than both parents at 152.4cm (60") or larger. The markings will appear similar to the red tailed cat, but have speckled or blotchy flanks and the nose will be longer, like that of a Shovelnose.

Pictures

Videos

"Albino" RTC at Malaysian Zoo:

External links