Photo taken at Wharf Aquatics
© Sean Evans
|
| Common name: | Red-tailed catfish |
| Scientific name: | Phractocephalus hemioliopterus |
| Synonyms: | (none) |
| Size: | Up to 4' (122cm) |
| Origin: | South America (Amazon) |
| Tank setup: | A huge tank is required, 8' long x 3' wide x 2.5' high (244 x 92 x 76cm) should probably be considered a MINIMUM for an adult.
Minimal robust decor - it is advisable to have all heating and filtration outside of the tank, by using a sump filter or
external thermofilter. |
| Compatibility: | Very predatory, but not usually aggressive, keep with other very large tankmates. |
| Temperature: | 21-27oC (71-80oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Fairly soft to slightly hard, pH 6.8-7.6 |
| Feeding: | Mainly carnivorous: in the wild, crabs, fish and also fruit are eaten. In the aquarium this can be replaced with
cockles, mussels, whitebait and catfish pellets - moving onto larger fish etc as the fish grows. |
| Sexing: | Unclear, males may have a deeper red tail and possess a more slender shape. |
| Breeding: | Unknown, and probably impractical in aquaria. |
| Comments: |
A truly magnificent fish, suitable only for the largest of home aquaria. Smaller juvenile specimens may be found for sale,
but serious thought needs to be given to the huge home that will eventually be required. The fish pictured above was housed
in a tank measuring 8' by 6' by 5' high!
Can you provide an enormous tank for a fish that may live for 20 years, require a large water change every week and consume a huge amount of food?
If not, do not consider buying this fish. Many shops can't accomodate and re-sell grown-on red tailed catfish, and many public aquaria already
have unwanted red tailed catfish and do not have room for more.
|
