Redtail catfish

The Redtail Catfish is a striking and powerful freshwater fish native to the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo river basins in South America. It is highly popular in the aquarium trade due to its impressive size, vibrant coloration, and unique body shape.

🔍 Appearance:

• Body Color: Dark gray to black on the dorsal side with a lighter, whitish belly.

• Tail Fin: Bright reddish-orange – the most distinctive feature.

• Head: Broad and flat with a wide mouth.

• Barbels: Long, whisker-like barbels around the mouth help them sense food in murky waters.

• Size: Can grow up to 3–4 feet (90–120 cm) in captivity; even larger in the wild.

🌊 Habitat & Behavior:

• Natural Habitat: Slow-moving rivers, streams, and flooded forest areas.

• Behavior: Nocturnal and bottom-dwelling.

• Temperament: Generally peaceful but predatory—may eat smaller fish and tankmates.

🍽️ Diet:

• Carnivorous – feeds on fish, insects, crustaceans, and other meaty foods.

• In captivity, accepts pellets, shrimp, fish fillets, and live foods.

🛠️ Tank Requirements (for aquarium keepers):

• Minimum Tank Size: 1000+ liters (ideally an indoor pond).

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

• pH Range: 6.0–7.5

• Filtration: Strong filtration needed due to high waste production.

⚠️ Important Notes:

• Not suitable for small home aquariums.

• Should not be kept with small or slow-moving fish.

• Grows rapidly and needs a lot of space.