Red-tailed catfish - care and maintenance in the aquarium

Red-tailed catfish is also called flat-headed, fractocephalus. The main name of the fish was for the saturated orange tail. Catfish belongs to large-sized predators, lives preferably in South America and Peru. Today we will consider the basics of keeping, feeding and everything that relates to the catfish of this group.

Features

Fish prefer hot climatic regions; they are found in South America in the diverse and dangerous Amazon River. When the catfish lives and hunts in the natural environment, it can reach 180 cm in length with a body weight of 75-80 kg. Agree, it’s impressive, but the aquarium species are not so huge.

Judging by some data, catfish are so powerful that they take mammals or birds that have come to drink for water to themselves. Local residents believe that children should not be allowed near water sources, otherwise a strong catfish will drag away the child.

Do not dwell on folklore. Despite its size and qualities of a predator, catfish are in demand among aquarists. Usually such fish can be found in zoos, but experienced people get catfish at home.

Since keeping in an aquarium environment itself involves isolation, catfish do not grow to such an impressive size. But even this fact requires a special aquarium measuring 300 liters — 6 tons.

Description

Soma have three pairs of whiskers. Two of them are located symmetrically on the lower lip, another pair of antennae rises above the lip. The mustache in the upper section is much longer than the lower.

The tail may be different in color, but the main tone is red. Actually, thanks to this highlight, individuals got their name.

It is impossible not to notice that catfish grow up quickly and, accordingly, grow. As a rule, young animals are kept in the aquarium. Farmers breed catfish, as they say, for slaughter, because the meat of these fish is considered a delicacy.

Feeding

1. Fishes eat everything in a row, even eat food for other roommates. Soma eat a lot. No matter how big a portion you give the fish, it will eat everything. On this basis, obesity and health problems develop.
2. Keep in mind that catfish cannot be overfed. As for food, give preference to frozen, lively and dry food. But catfish will prefer fresh meat to the rest.
3. Young animals are fed with moths, shrimps, fish fillets, squids. Adult pets are given capelin chopped in pieces, a lively small fish, as well as chicken hearts and a liver.
4. It is important to carefully monitor the diet and make it diverse. Catfish eat by the clock, so accustom them to fractional nutrition. Some teach fish to eat from the palm of their hand, but carefully.

Compatibility

1. The catfish of the present species refers to active predatory fish. From a young age, such an individual will seek to exterminate all who will be in the aquarium. It is worth noting that the mouth of such a catfish is really very large.
2. Do not worry ahead of time, such catfish are not bloodthirsty at all. They eat everything in their path only because they have a brutal appetite and a constant feeling of hunger.
3. That is why such a catfish must be kept with large fish or alone. Red-tailed catfish can easily get along with Arovans, pseudo-platomists and astronotuses.

Content

1. Do not forget that catfish are predators and at the same time quite gluttonous. In no case do not hook small individuals to it. Sooner or later, catfish will simply swallow everyone. It is also worth noting that the individual in question is not recommended to be kept alone.
2. Large representatives of cichlids get along well with such catfish. In addition, other catfish and large fish can be hooked. Individuals should not be placed in their mouths. In this case, no problems and conflicts will arise. Do not underestimate the fact that catfish can eat their relatives.
3. Fractocephalus is most active at night. Therefore, such catfish in the aquarium need to build shelters in which they will hide during the day. Also, individuals do not like bright light. Therefore, take care of diffused lighting in advance.

Considered catfish are dangerous representatives of fish. They can eat all the inhabitants of the aquarium who are inferior to it in size. Therefore, it is worth making sure that you have representatives of large fish. As a soil in the aquarium it is better to pour sand. In it, catfish will often bury. Also, the individual should have its own hole.

Video: red-tailed catfish (phractocephalus hemioliopterus)