Data sheet Redfin catfish
German name:
Redfin catfish
Scientific name:
Phractocephalus hemioliopterus
Origin:
South America, major rivers of the Amazon basin (Rio Negro, Orinoco, Maranhamm) in Brazil and Colombia, Maranon in Peru, Rio Madeira in Bolivia and the lowland rivers of Ecuador and Guiana
Size:
Body length up to 110 cm long and 40 kg in weight
Aquarium
Length:
Only suitable for large aquariums!
Length from 4 m
Contents:
from 5,000 liters
water values
Temperature:
20°- 26° C
pH:
6 – 7.5
GH:
less than 10° dH
Behave
Area:
lower area
Lining:
omnivorefresh meat, fruit, vegetables, dry food as tablets, large flakes or granules, frozen food, crustaceans, worms
Behave:
ambush, quietnocturnal, tends to overeat
Number:
loner
Difficulty level:
because of the advanced size
PauloFerreiraBR, Fish br, marked as public domain, details on Wikimedia Commons
particularities
These large catfish are also known by the names cajaro, pirarara, pejije torre, redtail catfish or banana catfish. Hers is the most notable red caudal fin. Does the fish feel threatened? he secretes a red secretion over them. The secretion of this species of catfish is not poisonous, the red color confuses the opponent and the fish can escape to safety.
Another characteristic is his long barbels. The skin is weakly scaly. Instead, it is covered with a layer of mucus to protect against parasites. When threatened, the redfin can produce more of this mucus and throw it off into the water.
Phractocephalus hemioliopterus has no special requirements for water.
The animals tend to eat until there is nothing left to eat. That can quickly becoming overweight to lead. Overfed fish become sluggish and just wait for their next meal. If the catfish is not fed excessively, it is more agile. Here it is important to find the right balance between too much and starving.
If the catfish gets fish fillet or beef heart, its favorite food, from the hand of the keeper, it becomes fast tame and trusting. A trusting redfin catfish is less aggressive towards other fish, an advantage in a community tank.
gender differences
The Differences between males and females are small. The antennae are more clearly developed in the males.
breed
Breeding in the aquarium has already been successful after the animals have been treated with hormones, but it is problematic. Almost all commercially available animals are wild caught.
socialization
A socialization is possible if the Fish big enough are to stop being seen as prey. Are suitable large cichlids, L-catfish (Glyptoperichtys gibbiceps, Astronotus ocellatus), tetras or rays.
Socializing with Arapaima is not advisable. Arapaimas grow too big.
Other questions
Can you keep a redfin catfish in a pond?
An attitude in a pond is only possible if the Pond big and deep enough is. He definitely should 1.20 m deep and must have a capacity of several thousand liters. In smaller ponds, the water heats up too much in summer.
If the water temperature falls below 20° in autumn, the catfish has to go to a correspondingly large one winter quarters move with suitable water parameters.
Everything about keeping aquarium fish in the garden pond
Can you eat the fish?
Anglers from the USA are obsessed with this fish. They call it the Redtail Catfish. From a size of 20 kg, it is a coveted prey and food fish.
The locals despise the catfish. The blackish color of the flesh deters them. For a while, the fish was considered poisonous in its homeland, but that turned out to be a mistake.