Red Tail Catfish

The Red Tail Catfish has been featured on River Monsters as a true monster predator of South America. The catfish features a beautiful red tail and a chocolate body with a white belly. The fish grows slowly to about four feet in the wild, about three feet in the aquarium. These fish should be kept with other fish of similar size. The red tail catfish will become the favorite pet in the aquarium, since he will eventually get big enough to eat all the other pets.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: They grow very large, so give them strong filtration, a sand bottom, sturdy decorations and a heavy, tight lid.

Feeding: Feed meaty foods like quality carnivore pellets and frozen shrimp or fish. Many learn to take pellets once settled. Avoid feeder fish, which can carry disease.

Tankmates: They will eat any fish that fits in their mouth. Keep them only with large, robust fish.

Good to know: Red tail catfish keep their bold red tail and white belly as adults and often learn to beg for food.