{"product_id":"red-tail-catfish-phractocephalus-hemioliopterus-5cm","title":"Red Tail Catfish Phractocephalus Hemioliopterus 5cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Red Tail Catfish is a giant South American pimelodid with a dark grey back, white belly and a vivid orange-red tail. Endearing and intelligent as a juvenile, it grows astonishingly fast into one of the largest freshwater fish in the trade. It is suited only to keepers with indoor ponds or public-aquarium scale systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Over 100 cm (40 in) in captivity; wild fish exceed 130 cm (52 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 15–20 years or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Amazon and Orinoco basins across northern South America\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Large rivers, flooded forest and lakes over sandy substrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Carnivorous, opportunistic predator\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Prawns, mussels, lancefish, earthworms, white fish fillet, large sinking pellets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Feed adults two or three times weekly; avoid feeder fish and mammal meat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Similarly huge, robust fish such as arowana, pacu and giant gourami\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Anything small enough to swallow; other red tails and large pimelodids\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Placid but will eat any fish that fits its mouth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Territorial towards its own kind and similar large catfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Advanced, specialist facilities only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Enormous space, heavy filtration and huge water changes; often needs rehoming\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, soft to moderately hard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 21–26°C (70–79°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 6.0–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 2–12 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Moderate, with strong filtration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 4,000 litres for an adult; a 10,000 litre indoor pond is realistic long term\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThink very carefully before buying: a 5 cm juvenile can reach 60 cm within its first two years, and most home aquaria are outgrown quickly. Public aquaria rarely accept unwanted specimens, so a lifelong home must be planned in advance. Juveniles swallow gravel and decor, so use sand or a bare floor and only heavy, immovable furnishings. For the few who can provide the space, this is a responsive, dog-like pet.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680688746873,"sku":"STF-RED-TAIL-CAT","price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-RED-TAIL-CAT.png?v=1790097342","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk\/products\/red-tail-catfish-phractocephalus-hemioliopterus-5cm","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}