(E) Red Tail Catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) [ ≈2.5 inches & 3+ inches]

Description

Red Tail Catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus)

📌 Basic Info

• Scientific Name: Phractocephalus hemioliopterus

• Common Name: Red Tail Catfish / RTC

• Size: Up to 4–5 feet (120–150 cm) in the wild, 3–4 feet in aquariums

• Lifespan: 15 – 20 years

• Tank Zone: Bottom (sometimes mid when active)

🌊 Water Parameters

• TDS (Total Dissolved Solids): 150 – 300 ppm

• pH: 6.0 – 7.5

• Temperature: 22°C – 28°C (72°F – 82°F)

• Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard

• Hardness: GH 4 – 12, KH 2 – 6

🐟 Characteristics

• Recognized by its black body, white underside, and bright red/orange tail.

• Very fast-growing → requires a huge tank or pond.

• Powerful predator – will eat anything that fits in its mouth.

• Hardy but needs strong filtration due to heavy waste production.

🍽️ Food

• Type: Carnivorous

• Diet: Fish fillets, shrimp, prawns, earthworms, sinking carnivore pellets, mussels.

• Feeding Frequency: Juveniles daily; adults 3–4 times per week.

🛠️ Maintenance

• Tank Size: Minimum 1,000 gallons (pond-size tank for adults).

• Weekly water change: 20–30%.

• Strong external or sump filtration → produces a lot of waste.

• Sand or smooth substrate, large hiding areas with driftwood or rocks.

• Very secure lid – strong and fast swimmer.

👥 Social Behavior

• Minimum Group Size: Best kept singly (very territorial with other RTCs).

• Tank Mates: Only other giant fish (arowana, pacu, giant gourami, pangasius, big catfish).

• Avoid: Small or medium fish, shrimp, or invertebrates – will be eaten.

✅ Do’s

• Keep in a very large tank or pond.

• Provide powerful filtration and aeration.

• Feed high-protein, varied diet.

• Handle with care – strong jaws and spines.

❌ Don’ts

• Don’t keep with small/medium tank mates.

• Don’t keep in small aquariums (they outgrow tanks very fast).

• Don’t overfeed fatty foods like beef heart or chicken.

• Don’t house multiple RTCs in one tank.

⭐ Quick Tips

• Popular monster fish for advanced aquarists.

• Not suitable for beginners due to size and feeding needs.

• Beautiful but requires a huge long-term commitment