Catfish, Redtail Fish Species in Thailand

Catfish, Redtail (Phractocephalus Hemioliopterus)

Max length 4 Ft.
Max weight 46 Kg / 101 Lb 6oz.
Omnivorous / Predatory.


The Redtail Catfish is a member of the Pimelodidae (whiskered catfish) family and is found throughout the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America.

The highly predatory Redtail catfish subsists on a diet of smaller fish, crabs and fruits and has been recorded at weights in the excess of 51 kg’s.

The ancient and highly predatory Redtail Catfish has a lineage dating back at least 13.5 millions years confirming the Redtail Catfish as a true prehistoric predatory fish.
The Redtail Catfish is the only living example of the genus Phractocephalus and has out lived all other examples of this genus to the point of total extinction.

The heavily built and muscular Redtail Catfish is an extremely distinctive and stocky Amazonian monster fish species which displays a mottled dark brown to black colouration on its dorsal section and underside.

The voracious Redtail Catfish displays a white colouration throughout its lateral section which is also apparent under its lower jaw and impressive collection of long probing whiskers.
The Redtail Catfish is easily identifiable due to a bright red colouration displayed on its cordial fin or tail.

Redtail Catfish are highly adept and advanced freshwater predators that possess an impressive array of three pairs of long whiskers with which they use to actively seek out prey in the muddy waters of the world’s largest and most remote river system the mighty Amazon.
These long and highly sensitive whiskers are packed with highly advanced sensory receptors which detect tiny chemical signatures released by prey fish in the river.

The Redtail Catfish is an extremely voracious freshwater predator that aggressively hunts prey fish in the wild and unexplored waters of the Amazon River in South America.
This broad headed monster Catfish species has a muscular form which tapers off towards its tail (caudial fin) and has a scales leather-like body.
The Redtail Catfish has a hard armoured bone-like plate reaching from in front of its dorsal fin towards it head which further enhances this battle hardened monster fish’s muscular appearance.

Redtail Catfish are voracious feeders and are one of the most ravenous catfish species in the Amazon able to consume large amounts of prey in a single sitting.

The Redtail Catfish is an extremely powerful and robust freshwater fighting fish which is capable of exerting massive amounts of power and acceleration when hooked.
In the event of hooking a Redtail Catfish whilst fishing the catfish will embark on a series of unstoppable deep boring runs characteristically hugging the lake or river bed for a large proportion of the fight.

When fishing for Redtail Catfish in Thailand anglers will experience exhilarating and protracted drawn out battles lasting anything from several minutes to possibly an hour.

The Redtail Catfish has recently been introduced into Thailand by enterprising fish farmers and aquarium enthusiasts and has thrived in the tropical climate of Thailand.

Redtail Catfish are now present to world record proportions in several freshwater fisheries throughout Thailand reaching weights well in the excess of 100lb’s.

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