Red-Tailed Catfish

Red-tailed catfish are native to the waters of the Peruvian Amazon River basin. They are typically dark grey to black with a white or yellow stripe along their side, as well as, a vibrant red or orange tail fin. These large fish have huge flat heads and a wide body that tapers toward the tail. They posses 3 sets of barbels, or whiskers, on the upper and lower jaw. Red-tailed catfish are large fish, capable of growing to massive sizes. They can reach up to 1.8 meters (6ft) and weigh 180 lbs.

These fish are well adapted to warm, tropical climates and prefer slow moving water. They are native to the Amazon,Orinoco, and Essequibo river basins. Red-tail catfish are bottom dwellers, so they prefer areas with sandy or fine gravel and ample hiding spots like large rocks and driftwood They are also primarily nocturnal and use these objects to bury themselves and hide during the day.  During the day red-tailed catfish are relatively motionless and tend to hide in concealed locations and will be found in deep water , where temperatures are cooler and there is more oxygen.

The red-tailed catfish have a relatively long lifespan, living up to 15 years in captivity and even longer in the wild. They grow very quickly. They exhibit both solitary and social behaviors. Normally they can be peaceful but have been known to be territorial especially as they mature. Red-tailed catfish in the Amazon reproduce with a unique external fertilization process during the May to July mating season . They reproduce through external fertilization. After a male and female catfish encounter to receive the males sperm, She then lays her eggs, holds them in her ventral fins, and deposits the sperm on them before placing them in hidden nests. Red-tailed catfish do not construct nests like some other fish species. Instead, they select areas with submerged Vegetation, rocky crevices or other sheltered spots for spawning. The males often guard the eggs and the newly hatched fry for a week before they venture out on their own.

In their natural habitat, red-tailed catfish are omnivores with a preference for meaty foods. They primarily eat other fish, crustaceans(like shrimp and crabs), being ambush predators that rely on their keen senses and powerful jaws to capture prey. They often hunt near structures like submerged trees or rocky areas using their barbels to detect vibrations under the water and locate food. While they primarily savage, they will also actively hunt. 

What hunts them?

Red-tailed catfish are apex predators in their native south American rivers, meaning the have few natural predators as adults. Young and juvenile red-tailed catfish are vulnerable to larger aquatic and terrestrial predators. Humans also are a significant predator, as they catfish are a popular target for a fishing sport. Other predators include jaguars, giant otters, Orinoco and American crocodiles and caimans.