Redtail Catfish
⚡ Key Facts & Quick Answers (AEO Summary)
- Taxonomic Class: Fish & Marine Life
- Dietary Niche: Omnivore (Fish, crabs, fallen fruit, seeds)
- Max Speed: 20 km/h (12 mph)
- Adult Weight: 40 - 80 kg (88 - 176 lbs)
- Typical Lifespan: 15 - 20 years
- Primary Habitat: Large Amazonian river basins, flooded forests, deep pools
- Native Region: South America (Amazon and Orinoco Basins)
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern
📊 Physical & Biological Metrics
🧬 Scientific Taxonomy & Biological Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Siluriformes |
| Family | Pimelodidae |
| Genus | Phractocephalus |
| Species Binomial | Phractocephalus hemioliopterus |
📖 1. Species Overview
The Redtail Catfish is a giant South American freshwater fish. Famous for its striking crimson red tail fin, dark back, and long sensory whiskers, it is an iconic river giant.
🦿 2. Physical Appearance, Anatomy & Adaptations
Dark brown-black back, white belly, orange-crimson tail fin, broad head, and long sensory barbels (whiskers).
🗺️ 3. Habitat, Geographic Distribution & Territorial Range
Nocturnal river bottom dwellers.
🥩 4. Diet, Feeding Strategy & Hunting Tactics
Use long whiskers to sense fish and crabs in murky river water, swallowing food whole.
🐣 5. Reproduction, Lifecycle & Social Hierarchy
Migrate up river tributaries during wet season flooding to spawn.
🛡️ 6. Conservation Status, Population Threats & Protection
Least Concern, protected in large Amazon reserves.
💡 Fascinating Facts & Trivia
- Their tail fin is a brilliant crimson red, earning them their name.
- They have huge mouths and can swallow fish nearly half their own body size.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Direct authoritative answers regarding the biology, feeding habits, and habitat of the Redtail Catfish.
The Redtail Catfish is scientifically classified as Phractocephalus hemioliopterus. It belongs to the genus Phractocephalus within the family Pimelodidae, class Actinopterygii, and phylum Chordata.
In the wild, Redtail Catfishs inhabit Large Amazonian river basins, flooded forests, deep pools. Their native geographic range primarily spans South America (Amazon and Orinoco Basins).
The Redtail Catfish is classified as a Omnivore. It feeds primarily on specialized nutrients suited to its ecological niche in Large Amazonian river basins, flooded forests, deep pools.
A Redtail Catfish can achieve top speeds of 20 km/h (12 mph) and weighs approximately 40 - 80 kg (88 - 176 lbs). Its expected natural lifespan is 15 - 20 years.
The Redtail Catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) is currently designated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Cite this Article
FaunaWiki Zoological Database (2026). "Redtail Catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) Species Profile."
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