The redtail catfish is native to the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo Essequibo was a Dutch colony on the Essequibo River in the Guiana region on the north coast of South America from 1616 to 1814. The colony formed a part of the colonies that are known under the collective name of Dutch Guiana.Essequibo
Where do redtail catfish live in Colombia?
The redtail catfish can be found throughout Colombia, Guyana, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, and Ecuador in the Amazon and Rio Orinoco basins. They thrive in large rivers and streams as well as flood plains, rapids, lakes, and lagoons.
Can redtail catfish live in cold water?
Their natural habitats are large rivers, streams, and lakes in South America; their natural habitats never get cold, so they aren’t prepared for it. If you keep your redtail catfish outdoors in a pond and live in an area with colder winters, you need to move them before the weather turns and the temperature drops.
What size aquarium for South American redtail catfish?
The South American redtail catfish lives in large rivers and streams and other large bodies of water naturally. This means that the ideal redtail catfish aquarium is actually going to be a pond or large, commercial style aquarium containing at least 1000 gallons, ideally 2500+ gallons.
What kind of fish is a red tail catfish?
These bottom-dwelling fish are common in the wild and thrive in large rivers and streams. Redtail catfish are the sole surviving species of the genus Phractocephalus. In the wild, fully-grown redtail catfish reach up to six feet in length and can weigh up to 180 pounds.
Are there red tail catfish in the US?
The redtail catfish was caught at Portage Lakefront Park by Mike Durfee. It's native to South America's Amazon River system and is a popular aquarium fish in the United States.
Can red tail catfish live in cold water?
Can Red Tail Catfish live in cold water? Despite the hardiness of the redtail catfish and their origins in lakes and ponds, they cannot survive in cold water. Their natural habitats are large rivers, streams, and lakes in South America; their natural habitats never get cold, so they aren't prepared for it.
What does red tail catfish eat?
Redtail catfish are omnivores that require a protein-rich diet. 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.
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.
Can red tail catfish survive in pond?
If you have at least a 1000-Gallon pond and you live in a country with sunny and rainy seasons, then yes, Redtail catfish can stay in your pond.
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 big can a red tailed catfish get?
The tail is red and sometime the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins are also red. 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.
What fish can red tail catfish live with?
They can live comfortably with the below and with other bottom dwellers. Some of the good tank mates for your Redtail catfish can be Stingrays, Pacu, Arowanas, Adult Plecostomus, Umbees, Peacock Bass, Oscars, and other large fish.
Are red tail catfish good to eat?
However, redtail catfish have been introduced to tropical places around the world. In Southeast Asia, they are a favorite game fish and are eaten with delight. South American redtail catfish are members of the family Pimelodidae, which is a group of small to large catfish that are predominantly fish-eating predators.
Do redtail catfish eat meat?
DELICIOUS ASIAN RED TAILED CATFISH – “GOOD FOOD AS WELL AS SPANKING, BOTH ARE WORTH REMEMBERING” Red tailed catfish is neutral in term of medical property, sweet, and diuretic. Its meat is soft, delicious, and nutritious, and has little bones. Red tailed catfish eat live bait, tiny shrimp or fish and plankton.
Can I keep red tail catfish with goldfish?
While goldfish are best suited to share a tank with members of their own species, it is possible to let them share space with a few species of catfish that won't grow large enough to harm the goldfish.
How long do red tail catfish live?
When kept in captivity, redtail catfish average a long life of about 15 years. They’ve also been known to survive longer in the wild, but it’s not easy to track. Unfortunately, the lives of many red tail catfish are cut short by unprepared owners. They need enough room to grow and particular conditions to be met to ensure they’re both happy and healthy. Not many aquarists, regardless of skill level or experienced, are exceptionally equipped to provide that, which has a significantly negative impact on the lifespan of any red tail catfish held in captivity.
What fish can live with red tail catfish?
While most owners tend to house their red tail catfish alone, there are some possibilities for tankmates. Gars are an exciting and standard option; they’re a bony, freshwater fish that grows up to 30 inches and can make the perfect tank mate for a redtail catfish. If you’re housing them in a pond instead of a tank, you could consider freshwater stingrays. They’re not easy to take care of, but they’re large enough to coexist with redtail catfish.
How big is the largest redtail catfish?
The largest redtail catfish was found in the amazon river in 2010. It weighed 123 pounds and measured over 5 feet in length!
What do red tail catfish eat?
Redtail catfish are omnivores, meaning they’ll eat both plants and meat. When it comes to red tail catfish, they’ll eat anything put near their mouth. Despite that, it doesn’t mean you should feed them anything. They still require a balanced and healthy diet to help them stay strong and lively. You can start with pellets or frozen food as a base, but pellets have to be the sinking kind because red tail catfish are bottom feeders. In addition to pellets or frozen food, they should be fed some fresh food, preferably meat, shrimp, or worm are good options, as well as small fish. Redtail catfish will feed on fish, crustaceans, or fallen fruit in their natural environment.
What temperature do red tail catfish need?
Meeting these conditions will help them live a long, fulfilling life. The preferred temperature of redtail catfish is between 68-79°F (20-26°C). Staying in that range isn’t easy with the size of the tank required for a red tail catfish. You’ll likely need a commercial heater, which isn’t cheap, or you’ll have to build your own, which isn’t easy.
Why are red tail catfish called banana catfish?
Redtail catfish are also sometimes referred to as banana catfish because of the yellow banana-like stripe on them.
How big can goldfish get?
Goldfish – Goldfish can grow to be up to 18 inches. But even despite that length, they would still quickly become a food source for a redtail catfish.
What is a red tail catfish?
Phractocephalus bicolor Spix & Agassiz, 1829. The redtail catfish, Phractocephalus hemioliopterus, is a pimelodid (long-whiskered) catfish. In Venezuela, it is known as cajaro, and in Brazil, it is known as pirarara, stemming from the Tupi language words pirá and arara.
Where did the redtail catfish come from?
P. nassi was described in 2003, from the Urumaco Formation at Urumaco, Venezuela.
Why don't natives eat redtail catfish?
It is said that the natives do not eat the meat of the redtail catfish because it is black in coloration.
What is the name of the Asian redtail catfish?
This article is about the South American redtail catfish. For the Asian redtail catfish, see Hemibagrus wyckioides.
How big are catfish?
They average 3.5–4.5 feet (1.1–1.4 m) in length . These colorful large catfishes have a brownish back, with yellow sides, and characteristic orange-red dorsal fin and caudal fin (hence the common name). It has a pair of barbels on the upper jaw, and two pairs on the lower jaw.
Can redtail catfish eat guppies?
Even as a juvenile of only a few inches in length, they are able to swallow many of the more common aquarium fish (such as tetras or guppies ), and it is only appropriate to house this fish with other species of relatively large size. Redtail catfish also have a habit of swallowing inedible objects in the aquarium.
Where do redtail catfish live?
In the wild it inhabits large rivers, streams and lakes and is native to the Amazon and large waters throughout South America. It is highly unsuitable for the majority of home aquariums due to its size, ...
What color are red tail catfish?
Redtail Catfish are large and colorful. They have long whiskers (i.e. barbels) on their mouths, and a beautiful red tail. They are mostly dark grey/brown along the top side of their body with small dark scattered spots, and a paler yellow/white wavy white band which stretches down both sides of its body.
How to know when to feed a fish?
Once you get to know your fish, you can watch for signs when they are sluggish. You’ll notice when they become active again and will get to know when to feed them.
How long does it take for a fish to grow?
These fish can easily grow an inch a week when they’re young; most of them reach two feet within a year.
How long do squid live?
They have a long lifespan and can live in excess of 15 years if cared for correctly.
Do red tail catfish eat anything?
Redtail Catfish are not picky eaters. In fact, they’ll eat anything that fits into their mouth.
Should you keep a Redtail Catfish?
There really is only one question to ask yourself to help decide whether you want to keep an RTC. That is, can you provide them with the best possible life for the duration of their life?
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.
Where do red tail catfish live?
A native to South America, the Redtail Catfish live in the Amazonian freshwater river basins, streams, and lakes in Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, as well as other nearby countries.
How big do red tail catfish get?
Beginning life around 5cm in size, the Redtail Catfish starts out small but grows larger quickly when it’s taken care of and well-fed and can grow an impressive inch every week when they are young. By the time they are a year old, most are approximately two feet long. They can reach up to 1.8 m (5ft, 11in) in length, and they can weigh around 80 kg (180 lbs).
How many eggs do redtail catfish lay?
The spot should be well guarded from predators. The female can lay anywhere from a couple of hundred eggs to roughly 21,000 eggs in just one spawning. Redtails Catfish that are younger and smaller will lay fewer eggs than the full-size adults. They are the ones that lay the greatest amount of eggs.
What is the only living catfish?
The Redtail Catfish belongs to the Phractocephalus hemioliopterus species and is a member of the pimelodid catfish family, which are the long-whiskered catfish. It is, in fact, the only living member of the Phractocephalus species left.
How fast does a redtail catfish grow?
The juvenile Redtail Catfish grows very fast, up to one inch a week, within the first two years of its life. Because of this, they will need a large tank within a year. However, upgrading to a larger tank can be stressful for your fish. To help ease the stress, you can transfer the tank water from the old tank to the new tank to make sure the water parameters stay the same, and your fish doesn’t go into shock.
How to help a redtail catfish overcome shyness?
In order to help them overcome their shyness, you could provide areas for them to hang out in, such as caves and dens. It would help if you also kept the tank out in the open where you will be spending a lot of your time so that they can become accustomed to seeing you and interacting with you.
What is the most attractive fish in the world?
The South American Redtail Catfish is considered to be the most attractive fish of its species. It’s caudal and dorsal fins have an orange-red color, which gives it its name. Along the sides of the dark grey and brown body, there is a wavy band of pale yellow or white that stretches down the length of the body. For juveniles, this band reaches all the way to the mouth, but in adults, it breaks up close to the mouth.
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.
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.
Can a male RTC live with koi?
A male RTC, by contrast, has the odds to live with koi but it is a risky thing to do. Strong supervision is needed from time to time.
Can red tail catfish live in cold water?
Red Tail’s natural habitats are large rivers, streams, and lakes. When they lay eggs, a high temperature is crucial for them to hatch.
What is a red tail catfish?
The redtail catfish is reasonably easy to identify, thanks to the red fins, but other factors can also set it apart from other varieties of catfish. The body has an arrow-shaped, cylindrical shape to it, with a flat belly and laterally compressed tail.
How many gallons of water does a redtail catfish need?
Why are these guys good for ponds and massive aquariums? Well, to be direct, these are giant redtail catfish. They require a minimum of 1000 gallons.
What temperature do redtails lay their eggs?
They prefer rocks and weeds for laying their eggs, and water temperatures between 75 and 80-degrees Fahrenheit are needed for success.
How big do squid get?
It’s important to understand that despite being sold as small fish, they grow quickly, and within a year or two, they reach a massive size of three to four feet in length. This means that though they are peaceful fish overall, they will ultimately turn into eating machines that devour smaller fish.
What color is the stripe on a juvenile fish?
The stripe on juveniles of the species are unbroken, while the stripe is broken on older fish, just near the mouth. The rest of the body is gray to brown in color, with small, darker spots, and beige bellies.
Where do pirarara fish live?
In Venezuela, for example, it’s known as the caiaro, while in Brazil, this large freshwater fish is known as a pirarara.
Who is Matt from Vivofish?
Matt is a web designer by day and a long-time fishkeeper by night. He’s had fish for as long as he can remember, and grew up taking more and more responsibility for his parent’s tanks - from nano reef tanks all the way up to their massive 400 gallon beauty. He’s passionate about helping more people find joy in fishkeeping and teaching them how to become expert pet parents at VIVOFISH.
What is redtail catfish?
The Redtail Catfish or Phractocephalus hemioliopterus is long-whiskered catfish. It came from the rivers of South America and the Amazon. They are also present in Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, Orinoco, Essequibo, and their neighboring countries.
How big do redtail catfish grow?
Before even considering to make a redtail catfish as your aquatic pet companion in your home aquarium, it is essential to know their size and how enormous they can be. The minimum requirement tank size would be unusual for beginners. And yes, they need a huge one to make them feel relatively comfortable.
Do redtail catfish have teeth?
Typically , mostly of the known fish types have teeth. But before you generally claim that all of them has a set of teeth, exclude the redtail catfish. Since they can be dark gray, black, or brown in color and size as tall as some humans, these characteristics make them more intimidating. Still, they are not considered endangered species. The surprising part is, they have no teeth.
Can redtail catfish live with Koi?
Putting a koi and redtail catfish together can be suicidal for both fish. If you want to know if redtail catfish can do well with a koi, the answer is a big NO. These two fish tend to fight with each other. Since redtail catfish are known for being a predator to small fishes and are bigger in size, they can eat the koi.
Overview
Distribution and habitat
The redtail catfish is native to the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo river basins of South America, in Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Colombia, Peru, Suriname, Bolivia, and Brazil. It is found only in fresh water, and inhabits larger rivers, streams, and lakes. They eat during the evening and night and stay motionless during the day. They are bottom-dwellers and move about quite slowly. Red-tailed catfish are territorial fish. Redtail catfish is also an invasive species in Malaysia, they are now fo…
Fossil species
Although the redtail catfish is the only living representative of this genus, there are other members that date back to the upper Miocene, and are only known from fossil remains. P. nassi was described in 2003, from the Urumaco Formation at Urumaco, Venezuela. Another fossil species, P. acreornatus, is known from the Solimões Formation, Acre, Brazil. This genus has a minimum age of about 13.5 million years.
Description
Phractocephalus hemioliopterus can reach about 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) in length, and about 80 kg (180 lb) in weight. However, this is exceptionally rare, and most do not approach this size. They average 3 ft 6 in – 4 ft 6 in; 1.1–1.4 m in length. These colorful large catfishes have a brownish back, with yellow sides, and characteristic orange-red dorsal fin and caudal fin (hence the common name). S…
Relationship to humans
Due to the potential large size of this species, redtail catfish are considered a game fish by anglers. The current IGFA world record for weight belongs to the Brazilian Gilberto Fernandes with 56 kg (123 lb 7 oz).
It is said that the natives do not eat the meat of the redtail catfish because it is black in coloration.
See also
• List of freshwater aquarium fish species
Redtail Catfish Facts & Overview
- Origin
Redtail catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) are found in the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo river basins of South America, which span across Ecuador, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. These bottom-dwelling fish are common in the wild and thrive in large river… - Adult Size & Lifespan
In the wild, fully-grown redtail catfish reach up to six feet in length and can weigh up to 180 pounds. Due to their enormous size, redtail catfish are often treated as game fish by anglers. Captive redtail catfish are three to four feet long on average. Juvenile redtail catfish are small — …
Appearance & Behavior
- The redtail catfish gets its name from its vibrant red tail. Redtail catfish are territorial and are natural predators.
Redtail Catfish Care & Tank Requirements
- Redtail catfish are difficult to care for because of their large size and semi-aggressive nature. These fish require a 1,500-gallon aquarium or larger to thrive. Replicating their natural habitat helps the fish feel at home in captivity. Feed them a varied diet and ensure food sinks to the bottom of the tank.
Tank Mates
- Redtail catfish shouldn’t be housed together because these fish are highly territorial with one another. You can keep them with other species, but tank mates must be similar in size. Redtail catfish are predatory and eat smaller fish. Suitable tank mates for the redtail catfish include: 1. Gars 2. Large stingrays 3. Large datnoids 4. Iridescent sharks 5. Bichirs Avoid invertebrates like …
Diet and Feeding
- Redtail catfish are omnivores that require a protein-rich diet. 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. However, reduce or in…
Breeding
- Redtail catfish are egg layers. Breeding redtail catfish in a home aquarium isn’t possible due to the fish’s large size and aggressiveness toward its own kind. Most redtail catfish in the commercial trade are bred in fisheries with the use of hormones.
Should You Get A Redtail Catfish For Your Aquarium?
- Redtail catfish are hardy and attractive, but the fish’s large size and predatory nature make it suitable only for experienced fishkeepers. You should consider a redtail catfish if you can accommodate and afford a 1,500-gallon aquarium or pond setup, and will be able to care for this fish throughout its long, 15-year lifespan. Don’t get a redtail catfish — even a juvenile — if you ca…
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 comfortable. Author Note:There’s a lot of …
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 …