About Phractocephalus hemioliopterus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Phractocephalus hemioliopterus can reach around 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) in length and around 80 kg (180 lb) in weight, though this size is exceptionally rare, and most individuals do not come close to this maximum size. On average, this species is between 1.1–1.4 m (3 ft 6 in – 4 ft 6 in) in length. These colorful large catfishes have a brownish back, yellow sides, and a characteristic orange-red dorsal fin and caudal fin, a feature that gives the species its common name. In some individuals, the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins are also red. They have a broad head with long whiskers, a dark black main body, and a white underbelly that extends from the mouth all the way to the caudal fin. This species has one pair of barbels on the upper jaw, and two pairs on the lower jaw. Their whiskers are sensitive and contain chemical reception cells that function as the sense of smell. This species reproduces through external fertilization after females lay their eggs, and individuals communicate by producing clicking sounds to warn of potential dangers. The redtail catfish is native to the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo river basins of South America, where it occurs in Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Colombia, Peru, Suriname, Bolivia, and Brazil. It only lives in fresh water, and inhabits larger rivers, streams, and lakes. Redtail catfish feed during the evening and night, and stay motionless during the day. They are bottom-dwelling fish that move quite slowly, and they are territorial. Redtail catfish is an invasive species in Malaysia, where it is now found mostly in the Perak River and Pahang River.
