How big can a redtail catfish get?

It can reach roughly 1.8 m in length, though most captive and wild adults are smaller, around 1.1-1.4 m.

What does the redtail catfish eat?

It is an opportunistic omnivore, eating fish, crustaceans, aquatic worms, frogs, and even fallen fruit, seeds, and nuts.

Why has the redtail catfish become invasive in some countries?

Aquarium owners often release individuals that outgrow their tanks, and the species has since established invasive populations in places like Malaysia, Thailand, and Florida.

Redtail Catfishレッドテールキャットフィッシュ

Phractocephalus hemioliopterusLC— Least Concern

The redtail catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus), called pirarara in Brazil, is a large Amazonian catfish reaching up to about 1.8 m long, identified by its rounded head, wide mouth, six barbels, and reddish tail. An opportunistic omnivore, it eats fish, crustaceans, aquatic worms, frogs, and even fallen fruit and seeds, and is native to the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo river basins. Popular but demanding in the aquarium trade, released pets have become invasive in parts of Southeast Asia and Florida.

Redtail Catfish (reference photo) — Photo: George Chernilevsky / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Siluriformes / Pimelodidae Source
Size: A large species with a maximum total length of about 1.8 m and a weight put at about 56–80 kg depending on the source (usually around 1.1–1.4 m in total length)
Diet: Omnivore Omnivorous, preying on a wide range including fish, crustaceans, aquatic worms, and amphibians such as frogs, as well as fallen fruit and seeds
Distribution: Native to the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo river basins across Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Colombia, Peru, Suriname, Bolivia, and Brazil. Source
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

It is known locally as "pirarara" in Brazil, and its reddish tail fin is the origin of its English and Japanese common names. Source
It is known to make a clicking sound to warn off potential threats. Source
Aquarium pets that outgrow their tanks have often been released, and the species is now established as invasive in Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Florida. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 2

Osaka Aquarium KaiyukanOsakaOpened in 1990

Source

Kiryuugaoka DoubutsuenGunmaIf driving, set your car navigation to "Kiryugaoka Amusement Park" (Kiryugaoka Yuenchi) rather than "Kiryugaoka Zoo" to reach the parking lot (searching by the zoo name may give an incorrect route).

Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Least Concern (LC)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit: A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving: Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei: Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

How big can a redtail catfish get?: It can reach roughly 1.8 m in length, though most captive and wild adults are smaller, around 1.1-1.4 m. Source
What does the redtail catfish eat?: It is an opportunistic omnivore, eating fish, crustaceans, aquatic worms, frogs, and even fallen fruit, seeds, and nuts. Source
Why has the redtail catfish become invasive in some countries?: Aquarium owners often release individuals that outgrow their tanks, and the species has since established invasive populations in places like Malaysia, Thailand, and Florida. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 2 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org