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
Distribution: Native to the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo river basins across Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Colombia, Peru, Suriname, Bolivia, and Brazil. Source

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

2 facilities · 0 individuals

Osaka Aquarium KaiyukanOsakaOpened in 1990

海遊館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

桐生が岡動物園 (Kiryuugaoka Doubutsuen)Gunma自動車の場合、カーナビ検索は「桐生が岡動物園」ではなく「桐生が岡遊園地」で設定すると駐車場に到着できる（動物園名で検索すると誤った経路になる場合がある）。

桐生が岡動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Phractocephalus hemioliopterusはIUCNでLCです。

Habitat

南米アマゾン川・オリノコ川水系の河川と氾濫原。

Threats

河川・氾濫原の改変
水質悪化
大型観賞魚の不適切な飼育・放流

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

大河川と氾濫原の保全
成魚サイズを踏まえた責任ある飼育の周知

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

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