Freshwater
Catfish
More details
Redtail Catfish
Pro
Pro
Description
A striking Amazonian giant with a bold red tail and massive appetite, the Redtail Catfish is a powerful bottom-dweller best suited for species-only monster tanks or public aquarium displays. While stunning in youth, its adult size demands serious space and long-term planning.
Difficulty Level
Expert Only
Region
Redtail Catfish
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Needs 1,000+ gallon tanks, specialized filtration, and long-term commitment to growth, aggression, and bio-load.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Often wild-caught or farm-raised in South America. May displace native species if released. Not sustainable for small home aquariums.
Origin
Native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins of South America. Found in deep, slow-moving freshwater rivers and floodplains.
Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Broad, dark body with a bold white lateral stripe and vibrant red-orange tail. Whiskered mouth and powerful swimming style. Territorial, food-aggressive, and capable of gulping large tankmates whole.
Purpose
A showpiece fish for massive tanks, valued for its unique look, bold behavior, and role as a megafauna species. It provides scale and movement in public exhibits.
Importance
Often misrepresented in pet stores as a manageable species—its true value is as a public aquarium or advanced hobbyist specimen. Helps educate hobbyists on long-term responsibility and ethical fishkeeping.
Included Resources
Requires 1,000+ gallons, double sump filtration, strong aeration, soft sandy substrate, and rounded corners to reduce injury. A tight-fitting lid is essential due to breaching behavior.
Best Use Cases
Public aquariums, tropical biotope showcases, and custom-built ponds or reinforced tanks with advanced plumbing setups.
Conservation Context
Not endangered but often irresponsibly sold. Invasive risk if released into non-native habitats (notably Florida, Southeast Asia). Keeping them responsibly supports ethical aquatic education.
Ideal Aquatic Species
• None (best kept alone or with similarly large and robust tankmates)
• Silver arowanas
• Giant gouramis
• Large pacu (if tank is exceptionally massive)
Region (A)
• Latitude: -3.1326° S
• Longitude: -60.0170° W
(Near Manaus, Brazil — Amazon River Basin)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 7.8986° N
• Longitude: -67.4729° W
(Orinoco River, Venezuela — flooded lowland habitat)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Redtail Catfish
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Needs 1,000+ gallon tanks, specialized filtration, and long-term commitment to growth, aggression, and bio-load.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Often wild-caught or farm-raised in South America. May displace native species if released. Not sustainable for small home aquariums.
Origin
Native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins of South America. Found in deep, slow-moving freshwater rivers and floodplains.
Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Broad, dark body with a bold white lateral stripe and vibrant red-orange tail. Whiskered mouth and powerful swimming style. Territorial, food-aggressive, and capable of gulping large tankmates whole.
Purpose
A showpiece fish for massive tanks, valued for its unique look, bold behavior, and role as a megafauna species. It provides scale and movement in public exhibits.
Importance
Often misrepresented in pet stores as a manageable species—its true value is as a public aquarium or advanced hobbyist specimen. Helps educate hobbyists on long-term responsibility and ethical fishkeeping.
Included Resources
Requires 1,000+ gallons, double sump filtration, strong aeration, soft sandy substrate, and rounded corners to reduce injury. A tight-fitting lid is essential due to breaching behavior.
Best Use Cases
Public aquariums, tropical biotope showcases, and custom-built ponds or reinforced tanks with advanced plumbing setups.
Conservation Context
Not endangered but often irresponsibly sold. Invasive risk if released into non-native habitats (notably Florida, Southeast Asia). Keeping them responsibly supports ethical aquatic education.
Ideal Aquatic Species
• None (best kept alone or with similarly large and robust tankmates)
• Silver arowanas
• Giant gouramis
• Large pacu (if tank is exceptionally massive)
Region (A)
• Latitude: -3.1326° S
• Longitude: -60.0170° W
(Near Manaus, Brazil — Amazon River Basin)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 7.8986° N
• Longitude: -67.4729° W
(Orinoco River, Venezuela — flooded lowland habitat)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Redtail Catfish
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Needs 1,000+ gallon tanks, specialized filtration, and long-term commitment to growth, aggression, and bio-load.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Often wild-caught or farm-raised in South America. May displace native species if released. Not sustainable for small home aquariums.
Origin
Native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins of South America. Found in deep, slow-moving freshwater rivers and floodplains.
Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Broad, dark body with a bold white lateral stripe and vibrant red-orange tail. Whiskered mouth and powerful swimming style. Territorial, food-aggressive, and capable of gulping large tankmates whole.
Purpose
A showpiece fish for massive tanks, valued for its unique look, bold behavior, and role as a megafauna species. It provides scale and movement in public exhibits.
Importance
Often misrepresented in pet stores as a manageable species—its true value is as a public aquarium or advanced hobbyist specimen. Helps educate hobbyists on long-term responsibility and ethical fishkeeping.
Included Resources
Requires 1,000+ gallons, double sump filtration, strong aeration, soft sandy substrate, and rounded corners to reduce injury. A tight-fitting lid is essential due to breaching behavior.
Best Use Cases
Public aquariums, tropical biotope showcases, and custom-built ponds or reinforced tanks with advanced plumbing setups.
Conservation Context
Not endangered but often irresponsibly sold. Invasive risk if released into non-native habitats (notably Florida, Southeast Asia). Keeping them responsibly supports ethical aquatic education.
Ideal Aquatic Species
• None (best kept alone or with similarly large and robust tankmates)
• Silver arowanas
• Giant gouramis
• Large pacu (if tank is exceptionally massive)
Region (A)
• Latitude: -3.1326° S
• Longitude: -60.0170° W
(Near Manaus, Brazil — Amazon River Basin)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 7.8986° N
• Longitude: -67.4729° W
(Orinoco River, Venezuela — flooded lowland habitat)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Redtail Catfish
Region
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