Catfish – Redtail Catfish RTC

Description

South American Redtail Catfish

aka: RTC Cat, Red Tailed Catfish, Cajaro, Pirarara

Phractocephalus hemioliopterus

The South American Redtail Catfish is a gorgeous fish to own. This fish has the ability to grow about an inch per week when they are young, and can sometimes grow to be about 24” at a year old depending on the size of the tank they are put into.  The Redtail Catfish is not at all picky about foods, and will often eat out of their owner’s hands. Good quality pellet foods and freeze dried bloodworms will offer these fish a fine life. Some of the best easiest fastest protein for your RTC is dried Mealworms intended for chickens.

Redtail Catfish need good filtration to keep water clean as they are very sensitive to ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. This is the biggest challenge people have keeping these fish, as they are messy, and they may occasionally throw up a meal in the aquarium. If this happens, you must clean it up immediately by doing a water change.

This fish can live in a community with other fish, however they should be larger than the Red-Tail Catfish’s mouth. Many people keep their fish with Pacu, Peacock Bass, other large cichlids and catfish, and even turtles.

Native to: The Amazon, Orinoco, & Essequibo Rivers. The redtail catfish is a pimelodid catfish. In Venezuela it is known as Cajaro, and in Brazil it is known as Pirarara. It is the only extant species of the genus Phractocephalus

Temp: 75 and 83. Warmer temps will speed the growth of your fish.

Shipped at 2″+
Lifespan: 20 yrs