Your local fish store’s owner is not correct about a red-tailed catfish growing only 12 inches in your aquarium. The behavior and temperament of redtail catfish can vary depending on who you talk to. The barbels (long whiskers) it has are quite large and impossible to miss. South American Red Tailed Aquarium Catfish | Arizona Aquatic Gardens South American Red Tailed Catfish aka: RTC Cat, Red Tail Catfish, Cajaro, Pirarara Phractocephalus hemioliopterus The South American Red-Tail Catfish is a gorgeous fish to own. In their natural habitats these fish will eat worms, smaller fish, insects, and random vegetation they come across. Lovingly referred to as “dwarf suckers” or “otos,” the Otocinclus Catfish is a popular fish … Due to the amount of food that red tail catfish eat, they release a lot of waste, which presents another challenge with regards to water quality. Catfish got better without any treatments and is now on the hunt. At about 3" they should be moved into a 40 to 60-gallon aquarium. As a member of the Pimelodidae family, the red tail catfish is long whiskered, with a beautiful white belly and red tail. The dark body of this fish has scattered spots and white/yellow bands that are stretched down to both the sides of the body. Came fast and looks very healthy as well love getting my fish here i have a 75 g and 150 g most of my fish came from here will be getting more. It is the only member of this genus that has this distinct appearance. Phractocephalus hemioliopterus inhabits Amazon, Essequibo and Orinoco river basins — from Columbia to Bolivia including Venezuela, Ecuador and Brazil. If it’s smaller than your redtail it’s not viable. There is a lot of respect for the redtail catfish in South America. Given the enormous size of red-tailed catfish, You will need an aquarium of a very large size. A. The redtail catfish (scientific name: phractocephalus hemioliopterus) is native to north-most South American countries. Region: Amazon River Basin, Brazil, Rio Negro, Venezuela . Aquarium Size: It is probably best to house these fish in at least a 30-gallon tank, when they're less than 3" long, but a bigger aquarium is always better. Though they begin quite small in size, these fish can grow quickly. The minimum tank size for an adult redtail catfish is around 1,500-2,000 gallons (yeah). 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. In the aquarium, where the red tail catfish lives, aeration is necessary, daily water substitution (due to the abundance of waste) andgood water filtration. This is where they get their rather straightforward name. So, if you don’t have a huge tank, you better avoid this fish. Like a lot of freshwater catfish, their underbelly is quite flat, especially underneath their head. The redtail catfish is a massive freshwater fish that only the most experienced aquarists should attempt to keep. With such large and aggressive fish the stakes are always a lot higher and mistakes are punished more as well. Preferably, give them one large meal per week. Despite its eventual large size, juveniles are often available as aquarium fish. If you stay in an area where the climate drops regularly, you can use a water heater to keep the temperature stable. In this article, we will discuss all you need to know about this catfish so that you can make informed decisions on whether or not to keep it in your home. Baltimore: National Aquarium - Amazon River Forest - Red-tailed catfish The redtail catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) is a pimelodid (long-whiskered) catfish named for its red or orange caudal fin. This huge red-tailed species is mostly found in brown and grey shades with red hues on the tail region. In fact, we would say it’s not for most aquarists. But since they love to spend most of their time at the bottom of the tank of hiding in caves, you can encourage them to interact. Moderate temperament fish, such as a red tail catfish for sale, opt for opportunistic feeding of any fish small enough to fit into their mouths but are not especially aggressive. There are a lot of things to consider and when you add more large fish to the equation it brings the minimum tank size up even more. They have long barbels, or whiskers, lining their mouths, along with bright red tails. Placing them with species that are of a similar size, it will be peaceful. They tend to stick straight outward no matter if the fish is swimming fast or not. It is, in fact, the only living member of the Phractocephalus species left. Just like any aquatic pet, red tail catfish have certain dietary and nutritional requirements. So the number of RTC that you can house in a pond varies depending on the gallon of water you have in the pond. The easiest thing when it comes to redtail catfish care is their lighting situation. Keeping these fish is definitely not impossible and will be quite rewarding once you put the time in. If you consider their natural predatory instincts to be aggressive, then this fish would quality. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items! So, you may want to give something that mimics their diet in captivity. If you are feeding them with pellets, make sure they are sinking carnivore pellets because catfish love to spend time at the bottom. The redtail catfish has a very classic “catfish” look to it. You need to give them a break to digest food properly. This is a demersal fish that prefers freshwater basins. The good thing is that red tail catfish can be trained to accept food from your hands. The red tail catfish is a good eater. It will make a marvelous pet that requires a bit more care and commitment that an average fish owner may be used to. It is not clear yet about which of the sexes guards the eggs. Being a massive freshwater fish, it might be ideal for experienced aquarists. If you want to give redtail catfish care a shot there are some things that you simply cannot compromise on. Besides the temperature, the red tail catfish flourish in water with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5, but anything below 7 is ideal. But we don’t want to leave out people who think they have the capacity to keep it. Redtail Catfish Appearance. Since these fish need very specific requirements when it comes to their care, it’s very common for underprepared aquarists to shorten their lifespan significantly. Remember that with pellet food you’ll want to make sure it’s a sinking variety so it makes its way down to where they spend time in the tank. In the wild, these fish are oviparous and can breed in the same manner as other fish. They have flat stomachs and a compressed tail. The red tail fish exhibit a rather contradictory behavior. I really enjoy the aquarium hobby and love sharing my experience with others. It is a beautiful monster fish, with the capability of growing to huge sizes. barbels) on their mouths, and a beautiful red tail. Their caudal fins are red as well as the top third of their dorsal fins. The water temperature should always be kept within 22-28 ° C, moderate flow, rigidity 3-13 degrees, pH 5.5-7.2. They'll eat a huge amount of food and grow very fast. 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. The underside of their heads is white and extends back roughly to where their pectoral fins begin. In the wild, the red tail catfish live in tropical environments, so you need to match these conditions. This tank size is obviously quite a lot when compared with most home aquariums. When she's not writing about fish you can find her hiking, swimming, and doing yoga. Our recommendation would be to avoid tank mates for the sake of convenience and peace in the tank. For the most part, redtail catfish owners tend to keep these fish by themselves. It indicates that they need a break. They have long whiskers (i.e. The red tail catfish eat literally anything that can fit in its mouth. It is also critical not to overfeed your fish. One individual should have at least 300 liters, although the aquarium with several tons of water capacity is considered ideal for this species. The Red-tailed catfish is said to be the last living fish in its genus, which is over 13.5 million years. After the female lays the eggs, the male catfish will spray the laid eggs with sperm for fertilization to take place. AquariumNexus.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. The red tail catfish is one the largest and fastest growing species of the aquarium fishes. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Redtail Catfish are large and colorful. Note that this fish can grow an inch every week, so most of them will reach two feet within months. You’ll want to keep this in mind when coming up with their diet in captivity. But if you don’t like the appearance of the bare bottom tanks, you can use a layer of sand. Even better, you can introduce friendly tank mates such as Stingrays, Gars, Black Pacu, Iridescents, and Datnoids. The major deciding factor is the ability to provide the right conditions, including tank size and water quality. Also, keep in mind that they are omnivorous, so they prefer meaty foods. As juveniles, these catfish will grow to one or two feet in length. The minimum tank size of an adult catfish should be between 1,500 – 2,000 gallons. A standard 10-gallon aquarium suits moderate or peaceful species such as the albino corydoras catfish. In the world, the red tail catfish inhabits the streams, rivers, and lakes. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. In the wild, this can be closer to 5 feet. Redtail Catfish, Red Tail Catfish, Red Tailed Catfish, Amazon Red Tail Catfish, Redtail fish, (not to be confused with the Asian Red Tail Catfish: Scientific Name (Genus and Species) Phractocephalus hemioliopterus: Family: Pimelodidae: Identifying Characteristics: A cylindrical body that is dark grey/brown along the top with small scattered spots. To say the least, this fish is really big. Size is about one inch to an inch and a … Some aquarists who keep the fish often donate it to public aquariums when they outgrow their home aquariums. Very gorgeous and rare fish! This huge tank size is obviously quite a lot compared to most freshwater home aquariums. The primary issue is that most typical freshwater aquarium fish are smaller than the redtail (because they’re massive). If you’re someone looking for a hassle-free freshwater fish that doesn’t require having a swimming-pool sized tank in your home, you should probably pass. This is not nearly enough. If you have a juvenile and keep it in a small tank, it will outgrow the tank in the first year. 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. At maturity, it can reachfour to five feet long. Red Tail Tiger Shovel Nose Hybrid Cat. If you have any questions feel free to contact me or leave a comment below. This is something you’ll definitely need to keep in mind when it comes to tank mates (more on that in the section below). The red tail catfish stands as one of the most attractive catfish species. Learn more. Red tail Catfish Phractocephalus hemioliopterus (4-5 Inches) Region: Amazon River Basin, Brazil, Rio Negro, Venezuela . The fish can break them or split its dwelling with their help, wagging its tail unsuccessfully. These fish don’t need much when it comes to light, so a standard lamp will do the trick. These fish aren’t picky! Desirability: This fish gets really big fast! Hey, I'm Fabian, chief editor at Aquarium Nexus. Redtail catfish can be so hungry that you never know what they’ll try to chomp down on! In fact, it’s more than a hobby, because I’ve spent countless hours doing research on different fish species. They have large scales, dark barbells,…, Piranha fish belong to the Serrasalmidae family and are related to tetras, silver dollars, and…, Asian Arowanas are sizable elongated fish that have upward-facing mouths, being a surface feeder. Within one year it can reach 24″ or more. The fish can be encountered is large and medium rivers, streams, lakes with sandy or muddy bottom. They are also known by names such as flat-nosed catfish, banana catfish, and South American Redtail. They will chow down on random items like driftwood, rocks, and gravel too. These fish can become a bit sluggish after each feed. Author Note: Due to the amount of food redtail catfish comsume they also create a lot of waste. Maintaining the optimal water parameters can be challenging with such a large tank. Aquarium Source is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Typically, older and larger females tend to lay the most eggs, while younger females tend to lay the lesser number. The Redtail Catfish belongs to the Phractocephalus hemioliopterus species and is a member of the pimelodid catfish family, which are the long-whiskered catfish. Even though redtail catfish are considered hardy, we always recommend doing everything you can to make sure the water situation is as good as it can be. Some good suggestions include: Besides this, there are other pellets and frozen food options you can try to provide a good nutritional baseline. The bodies of these fish are shaped like cylinders. Aquarium keepers should consider pairing with other large fish. Some people will say they’re hyper-aggressive, and others will say they’re actually rather peaceful. In the aquarium Phractocephalus hemioliopterus in aquarium The redtail catfish is an extremely popular fish in Amazonian themed exhibits at public aquaria, where they are often housed with other large fish such as Colossoma macropomum or pacu, and other large catfish. While choosing what to give your red tail catfish, make sure to use clean and safe food. Caring for such large fish is a very different experience, so it’s always fun to learn more about! Your email address will not be published. Because of its huge size, it is a favorite game fish. This will give them enough room to swim around and be active without feeling cramped and unhappy. This is outright wrong because even though it will definitely stunt their maximum length a bit, they’ll still likely hit 3 feet at least. 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