How long do redtail catfish live in South America?
There is a lot of respect for the redtail catfish in South America. The average lifespan of a redtail catfish is around 15 years in captivity. In the wild they have been known to live longer, but there isn’t a significant amount of data on that.
Is the redtail catfish a good fish to keep?
The redtail catfish is a massive freshwater fish that only the most experienced aquarists should attempt to keep. Despite that, there are a lot of people who think that these fish are much more manageable to keep in captivity than they are.
How fast do red tail catfish grow?
Note that this fish can grow an inch every week, so most of them will reach two feet within months. With the right conditions in a home aquarium, the red tail catfish can grow to over 4 feet, and when left in nature, they can grow even larger. In terms of substrate, you can have a bare bottom.
What does a redtail catfish look like?
The redtail catfish has a very classic “catfish” look to it. The barbels (long whiskers) it has are quite large and impossible to miss. They tend to stick straight outward no matter if the fish is swimming fast or not. The main color of their body is dark grey with a smattering of faint dots stretching over this part of their body.
How big can red tail catfish get?
Size: This catfish can reach five feet (1.5 m) or more in length and can weigh up to 180 pounds (82 kg), making them a favorite game fish in their native habitats.
Are red tail catfish aggressive?
Redtail catfish are opportunistic predators. This makes them seem quite aggressive due to their natural predator instinct. They will attempt to eat anything small enough to fit into its mouth. They also get territorial around other redtails, so never have more than one in a tank.
Will red tail catfish eat other fish?
Redtail Catfish Tank Mates It's tough to find the right aquarium buddies for these fish because they are large, somewhat aggressive, and will eat almost anything. The phractocephalus hemioliopterus eat smaller fish, so definitely make sure the tank mates you select are not much smaller.
How often should I feed my red tail catfish?
In the wild, redtail catfish eat anything they can find, including crustaceans, small fish, insects, and fruit. Ideal foods for the redtail catfish include sinking pellets and both live and frozen foods like shrimp, crayfish, small fish, and worms. As a general rule, adults should be fed on a weekly basis.
Do red tail catfish have teeth?
They don't have teeth or spines or anything unlike most Amazon fish and can be easily lifted by their pectoral fins although larger ones should have their bellies supported.
How do you tell if a red tail catfish is male or female?
Males are elongated and narrow, while females have a rounded shape in the abdomen so they can carry eggs. A female about to spawn will become very round and will have a reddish tinge to the area around her vent where the eggs will emerge.
How much room does a red tail catfish need?
around 1,500-2,000 gallonsTank Size. The minimum tank size for an adult redtail catfish is around 1,500-2,000 gallons (yeah). This will give them enough room to swim around and be active without feeling cramped and unhappy. This huge tank size is obviously quite a lot compared to most freshwater home aquariums.
Why does my red tail catfish hide?
Why do our catfish like to hide from us during the daytime? This is partly due to the fact that in most cases their eyesight is poor, and the fact that they are not comfortable with bright lighting. In the wild most catfish are to be found in deeper water, although again there are exceptions to every rule.
How big of a tank do you need for a red tail catfish?
around 1,500-2,000 gallonsTank Size. The minimum tank size for an adult redtail catfish is around 1,500-2,000 gallons (yeah). This will give them enough room to swim around and be active without feeling cramped and unhappy. This huge tank size is obviously quite a lot compared to most freshwater home aquariums.
Are redtail catfish invasive?
Red-tailed catfish are territorial fish. Redtail catfish is also an invasive species in Malaysia, they are now found mostly in the Perak River and Pahang River.
How do you stop a red tail shark from being aggressive?
Choose semi-aggressive fish to go in a community tank that contains a Red Tail Shark. Also, be prepared to provide plenty of hiding places for other fish to hide. Driftwood, artificial caves and plants will serve to break up the line of sight of the Red Tail Shark.
What fish can live with red tail shark?
Here are some possible Red Tail Shark tank mates:Neon Tetra.Bala Shark.Honey Gourami.Sparkling Gourami.Congo Tetra.Pearl Gourami.Angelfish.Dwarf Gourami.
How Long Do Redtail Catfish Live For?
The Redtail Catfish is known to grow very large at a fast rate. Even at that they still have a very long life span of twenty years. Not all fish have a lifespan that is this long.
What is the family of red tail catfish?
The family is Pimelodidae while the Genus is Phractocephalus (Agassiz, 1829). And finally, it belongs to the Species, P.hemioliopterus. The binomial name for the Redtail Catfish is therefore Phractocephalushemioliopterus (Bloch & Schneider -1801).
Where Is The Redtail Catfish From?
The Redtail Catfish is a very unique species of pet fish. In the wild, it is known to live in freshwater bodies. It has not been reportedly found in saline water. Generally, catfish are freshwater fish and they thrive very well in this environment.
What Do The Red Tail Catfish Eat?
They save you from going through the stress of finding the suitable food for your fish. They eat almost anything that fits into their mouth.
Can You Breed Red Tail Catfish In a Home Aquarium?
Can I breed a red tail catfish in my home aquarium? Being fully aware of the requirement to keep the catfish as a pet, most individuals can only meet up to the requirement for the juvenile red tail catfish.
Is The Redtail Catfish A Good Pet To Keep?
It is generally said that the Redtail Catfish is not suitable for your home aquarium. This is due to the large size of the tank it requires. The juvenile Redtail Catfish grow large very fast.
Can you mix Redtail Catfish With Other Fish (Tank Mates)?
Before considering adding a tank mate to your catfish, you need to understand its behaviour towards other fish and species. Red Tail Catfish are natural predators and they will feed on anything half their size including tank mates.
Where do redtail catfish live?
The redtail catfish may live at Spartan tank conditions. Moderate lighting, some snags and large stones as shelters – this is all the fish needs.
Why is the red tail catfish called red tail catfish?
Redtail catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) Redtail catfish (lat. Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) got its name due to its bright orange tail fin. This is a good looking, but very large and predatory catfish, that yet is being kept in tanks. It can be seen on sale quite often as well.
Why do aquarists buy catfish?
Quite often aquarists buy it because of its unusual appearance and then they start to notice that other fishes in a tank start to disappear. At that the catfish grows very fast. When its owner gets who eats other tank dwellers, he tries to get rid of the pet.
What type of fish prefers freshwater?
This is a demersal fish that prefers freshwater basins. The redtail catfish can be encountered is large and medium rivers, streams, lakes with sandy or muddy bottom.
Where do phractocephalus hemioliopterus live?
Habitat in the wild. Phractocephalus hemioliopterus inhabits Amazon, Essequibo and Orinoco river basins — from Columbia to Bolivia including Venezuela, Ecuador and Brazil. Also the fish was acclimatized in waters of Thailand and Florida state (USA). This is a demersal fish that prefers freshwater basins.
What color are the tail fins of a squid?
The back is brown, sides are yellow, pectoral, abdominal and anal fins are black, top of the dorsal (its bottom is black) and tail fins are orange-red. Due to such coloring the fish got its name. The abdomen is beige.
How long do squid live?
The lifespan is over 15 years. The head is large, wide and flattened from top. The eyes are small, located at the top of the head. The fish has 3 pairs of barbels; one is on its maxilla and it is longer than other two pairs on its mandible. The body is bulky and elongated.
How Long Do Catfish Live?
The lifespan varies across the species. Catfish can live from 5 to 20 years, though Wels catfish can reach an average lifespan of 30 years. Mekong giant catfish are known for the longest life expectancy of up to 60 years.
How old do flathead catfish live?
Flathead catfish are yellow; thus, many people also call them yellow cats. The typical life expectancy of flathead catfish is between 5 and 22 years old. However, some can live up to 28 years old.
What do catfish eat?
Contrary to popular belief, there’s nothing to worry about their dietary habits as they usually feed on small minnows, crayfish, freshwater shrimps, and worms. Catfish also have a long life expectancy while being quite resilient without water. So, how long do catfish live in and out of water?
What is the largest freshwater fish?
Mekong giant catfish: This species belongs to the shark catfish family and is one of the largest known freshwater fish. They are white and grey and are distinguished from other large species by the near-total absence of barbels.
What is the color of a channel catfish?
Channel catfish: Channel catfish are smaller than their flathead and blue cousins. This species features an olive-brown color skin with a deeply forked tail. Some also have shades of grey and blue on the sides. They are the most common type of freshwater catfish.
Where do catfish live?
Catfish (Siluriformes) is a diverse group of gray-finned fish with barbels resembling whiskers around the mouth. Most catfish are found in freshwater, but there are two saltwater species. Over half of catfish are native to America, of which blue catfish, channel catfish, and flathead catfish are the primary species.
Can catfish live out of water?
The amount of time that catfish can live when removed out of water depends on the weather conditions. Yet, these species are known for their remarkable ability to survive out of water.
How long do red tail catfish live?
The average lifespan of a redtail catfish is around 15 years in captivity. In the wild they have been known to live longer, but there isn’t a significant amount of data on that.
What is a redtail catfish?
The redtail catfish has a very classic “catfish” look to it . The barbels (long whiskers) it has are quite large and impossible to miss. They tend to stick straight outward no matter if the fish is swimming fast or not.
Why are redtail catfish smaller than redtail?
Due to their size and the fact that they eat smaller fish in the wild, picking tank mates for a redtail catfish can be very challenging. The primary issue is that most typical freshwater aquarium fish are smaller than the redtail (because they’re massive).
What is the temperament of a redtail catfish?
The behavior and temperament of redtail catfish can vary depending on who you talk to. Some people will say they’re hyper-aggressive, and others will say they’re actually rather peaceful. In our opinion, this is mostly influenced by their tank setup as well as what you define as aggressive.
What is the best water temperature for redtail catfish?
Water temperature: 68°F to 80°F. pH levels: Somewhere between 6 and 7.5 is fine, but staying below 7 is ideal.
What is the best tank for a squid?
This means the ideal tank set up for them is a very large tank , with very little inside it. They don’t require a bunch of decorations or hiding places (they’re quite confident fish) and will likely tear up or consume whatever they find.
What color are the caudal fins?
Their caudal fins are red as well as the top third of their dorsal fins. This is where they get their rather straightforward name.
How Long Can a Catfish Live Without Food?
Catfish can go long periods without eating if the water is below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, in winter, when the water temperature drops below fifty degrees, they usually stop eating.
How Deep of Water Do Catfish Prefer to Live in?
They feed on the bottom and tend to go to the deepest parts of the water, often in depths of 35 to 70 feet deep. They will be whatever depth is deepest at times, especially blues, channel cats, and flatheads.
How Long Can a Catfish Be Kept on Ice?
It is best to place them on ice as soon as you catch them after ice fishing. If you properly pack them on the ice, they can last from 24 to 36 hours.
What do catfish eat?
Catfish are known to eat anything from larvae, insects, snails, other fish, and fish eggs. Some catfish even eat frogs and birds and an occasional dog swimming in the lake or river with them. They also eat algae and plants, especially that baby fish ( also known as fry ).
How to transport catfish home after fishing?
When transporting a catfish home after fishing, it is best to put some water in a cooler with plenty of water and then kill and clean it at home or to kill it and clean it at the lake and pack it on ice on the way home to keep if fresh and so it will not spoil.
Why do catfish stop feeding?
Some feeders stop feeding them in colder temperatures because it was believed it didn’t significantly change their weight. Studies show that catfish fed at least one percent of their body weight gained eighteen percent of their body weight over the winter, while fish withheld food over the winter lost nine percent of their body weight.
Why do catfish need oxygen?
This organ is helpful to catfish because it often allows them during droughts to move overland to search for more water. They can survive in muddy conditions for extended periods because of their ability to breathe oxygen from the air.
How long do red tail fish live?
A massive and rapidly growing freshwater fish, Redtail fish can live for more or less 15 years depending on the care provided, outreach 2 ft. in a span of 2 years. In fact, the largest red tail reached 63 inches (1.6 m) seen on the Amazon River.
How many red tail catfish can you have in a pond?
Each red tail catfish needs a 1000 gallon of water requirement. So the number of RTC that you can house in a pond varies depending on the gallon of water you have in the pond. Or for your pond size to be 10x5x4 ft. which can house a pair of Redtail catfish.
Do catfish reproduce in a pond?
Catfish have a need of 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit for them to spawn and at least 10 years old to be ready. The absence of water’s right temperature will hinder their reproduction.
What is the best tankmate for a redtail catfish?
Species that have the same size as Redtail catfish are the best tank mates for them. Aside from being a large species, they are also territorial and a predator.
How long do bichirs live?
Unlike other species, Bichirs have poor eyesight due to their habitat having musky waters and lungs resulting in them having a need to go to the surface. Their average life is up to 15 years however with proper care, they can live for a maximum of 20 years.
How big do gouramis grow?
Similar to Bichirs, they breathe air from the surface. They grow at least 16-18 inches long.
Where do red tails lay their eggs?
Red Tail’s natural habitats are large rivers, streams, and lakes. When they lay eggs, a high temperature is crucial for them to hatch.
How big do red tail catfish get?
This fish can develop about an inch for every week when they are youthful, and can in some cases develop to be around 24″ at a year old.
Where are redtail catfish found?
Local to: The Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo Rivers. The redtail catfish is a pimelodid catfish. In Venezuela it is known as Cajaro, and in Brazil it is known as Pirarara. It is the main surviving types of the class Phractocephalus. Care level: Easy.
What is the most popular catfish in the aquarium?
The Red Tail Catfish is probably the most popular catfish in the aquarium trade. It is a beautiful monster fish, with the capability of growing to huge sizes. It is not an overly aggressive fish, but it will eat anything that fits in it’s mouth. Aquarium keepers should consider pairing with other large fish.
Do red tail catfish eat pellets?
The Red-tail Catfish not under any condition meticulous about nourishments that will regularly eat out of their proprietor’s hands. Great quality pellet nourishments and bloodworms will offer these fish a fine life.
Can redtail catfish live with other fish?
This fish can live in a network with other fish, anyway they ought to be bigger than the Red-Tail Catfish’s mouth. Numerous individuals keep their fish with Pacu, Peacock Bass, other huge cichlids and catfish, Rays, and even turtles. Local to: The Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo Rivers. The redtail catfish is a pimelodid catfish.
Habitat in The Wild
Description
- General length of the redtail catfish reaches 1,8 m (5 ft 11 in) and it weighs 80 kg (180 lb). In tanks tends to grow significantly smaller, but still its size is from 50 cm (20 inches) and to 100 cm (40 inches). The redtail catfish lifespan is over 15 years. The head is large, wide and flattened from top. The eyes are small, located at the top of ...
Difficulties in Keeping
- The redtail catfish is undemanding, quite nice and active. But. This is a monster, that can grow to be a huge fish. Quite often aquarists buy it because of its unusual appearance and then they start to notice that other fishes in a tank start to disappear. At that the catfish grows very fast. When its owner gets who eats other tank dwellers, he tries to get rid of the pet. However, there are not tha…
Care and Keeping in The Tank
- The redtail catfish is extremely challenging in terms of keeping due to its size and requirements as for the available space to swim. That’s why recommended tank volume should be 1000 liters (220 gallons). Young species can live in smaller tanks, but if you don’t provide them with a tank of corresponding volume as they grow, the fish will die early. This catfish prefers near bottom wate…
Feeding
- The redtail catfish is omnivorous. The catfish will eat all types of dry, frozen and live food, but it prefers live prey or products of animal origin. Young catfish should be fed every day. As they grow you should switch to feeding them one-twice a week.
Tank Mates
- Fish has a large mouth and good appetite, that’s why any small sized tank mates will be eaten. This catfish gets along well with the fish species of its size, but there are almost no tank fishes of such size. Any other fish that is sufficiently smaller will be treated as food. This fish guards its territory and may demonstrate aggression towards its relatives or catfish of other kind, that’s wh…
Gender Differences: Male vs Female
- The fish doesn’t have any pronounced gender dimorphism. Therefore, it is still unknown how to tell between the male and female.
Species Summary
Appearance
- The redtail catfish has a very classic “catfish” look to it. The barbels (long whiskers) it has are quite large and impossible to miss. They tend to stick straight outward no matter if the fish is swimming fast or not. The main color of their body is dark grey with a smattering of faint dots stretching over this part of their body. The underside of their heads is white and extends back ro…
Size
- The average size of a redtail catfish in captivity is around 3-4 feet in length.In the wild, this can be closer to 5 feet. It’s important to understand just how massive this is, and what that means for anyone who wants to keep one in a home aquarium. This means that the minimum tank size is going to be astronomical just to make them relatively comf...
Redtail Catfish Care
- If you want to give redtail catfish care a shot there are some things that you simply cannot compromise on. With such large and aggressive fish the stakes are always a lot higher and mistakes are punished more as well.
Food & Diet
- Redtail catfish love to eat. Period. You can pretty much feed this fish whatever you want and they’ll scarf it down. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. Just like any fish, they have certain dietary and nutritional requirements that you’ll need to hit if you want them to live as long as possible. In their natural habitats these fish will eat worms, smaller fish, insects, and ran…
Behavior & Temperament
- The behavior and temperament of redtail catfish can vary depending on who you talk to. Some people will say they’re hyper-aggressive, and others will say they’re actually rather peaceful. In our opinion, this is mostly influenced by their tank setup as well as what you define as aggressive.If you consider their natural predatory instincts to be aggressive, then this fish would quality. We d…
Redtail Catfish Tank Mates
- Due to their size and the fact that they eat smaller fish in the wild, picking tank mates for a redtail catfish can be very challenging. The primary issue is that most typical freshwater aquarium fish are smaller than the redtail (because they’re massive). This means if you’re going to attempt to find redtail catfish tank mates the main factor you should consider is size. If it’s smaller than yo…
Conclusion
- As you can probably tell, caring for redtail catfish is not for everyone. In fact, we would say it’s not for most aquarists. You need a healthy dose of experience, space, and resources to make it happen. If that describes you then feel free to go for it! Keeping these fish is definitely not impossible and will be quite rewarding once you put the time in. If you’re someone looking for a …