Phractocephalus pseudopfasiatus

_erik_ · Post by **_erik_** » 18 Oct 2005, 16:39

Hello!

Yesterday I bought a Phractocephalus pseudopfasiatus, and I really donÂ´t know anything about this fish... How big does it get and what should I feed it?

Grateful for answers

/Erik

Post by **Silurus** » 18 Oct 2005, 16:46

That's not a proper name.

Does it look like this?

_erik_ · Post by **_erik_** » 18 Oct 2005, 18:14

no, not really... It looks a lot like a redtail catfish but hasnÂ´t got the same red color on itÂ´s tail... The petshop owner said that itÂ´s gets a lot smaller than the red tail, only about 30 cm (12 inches)... I just wanted to find out if thats true...

Post by **Silurus** » 18 Oct 2005, 18:52

It's just a regular redtail then. The tail color varies quite a bit.

_erik_ · Post by **_erik_** » 18 Oct 2005, 19:11

Okay...well thatÂ´s not very good:S... I didnÂ´t think the fish was going to be that big in the future... But at least I got a good price, just $11 instead of the the "real" red tail price which was $42...But are you sure theres no other species of Phractocephalus then?

Thanks for the answers!

Post by **Silurus** » 18 Oct 2005, 19:14

As currently understood, Phractocephalus is monotypic (i.e. there is only one species).

_erik_ · Post by **_erik_** » 18 Oct 2005, 20:02

okay... Can you recommend any other predatory catfish that reaches about 12 inches?

Post by **Silurus** » 18 Oct 2005, 20:06

sojapat · Post by **sojapat** » 18 Oct 2005, 20:17

Pim Ornatus ?
These are good and Quite active!

_erik_ · Post by **_erik_** » 19 Oct 2005, 21:22

Thanks for the answers!

Would I be able to house the Sorubim lima with aggresive cichlids (like A. trimaculatum)? ItÂ´s pretty expensive, at least here in sweden and it would hurt my economy really much if the cichlid killed it...

Wildfish · Post by **Wildfish** » 21 Oct 2005, 08:16

Why is it there is the variations in tail color? And if the tail is not red, they are still considered Red Tails? Mine looks like an ordinary red tail, with the striking white streak down it's side and the spotted head, two small white dots beside the dorsal fin....except the tail is also grayish and edged with the white color. Also, the tail is rounder rather than the sharper caudal edges in the redder variation. Are they a different collection point? What explains the variation in tail color. Thanks.

Post by **Silurus** » 21 Oct 2005, 10:06

There are a number of variables that explain differences in tail color. Genetics is one (this may be linked to regional variation), water conditions may be another (fishes with red tails are sometimes observed to have faded colors in turbid water), and diet is another (carotene rich foods will enhance the red).

coelacanth · Post by **coelacanth** » 21 Oct 2005, 10:37

Wildfish wrote:Mine looks like an ordinary red tail, with the striking white streak down it's side and the spotted head, two small white dots beside the dorsal fin....except the tail is also grayish and edged with the white color. Also, the tail is rounder rather than the sharper caudal edges in the redder variation.

Just sounds like a young specimen to me. Are you able to take and post any images?

Wildfish · Post by **Wildfish** » 21 Oct 2005, 17:08

I would love to take a pic to post, unfortunately, I'd love to see the cat himself! I have a nicely planted tank with caves of lace rock, so, I rarely see him myself. He's found a really nice spot to relax in all day and I try to coax him out at night by turning out the lights and feeding the tank. I have looked at red-tails for some time now in my local fish stores. I have definately noticed a trend between the true red tails with the more pointed tails and the rounder grayish tails with the white edging. I bought this guy even without the red tail because he was strikingly beautiful, a nice specimen. He is about 4-5 inches long, but not sure of the age, guess it depends on his history, feeding, water conditions etc. Thanks for the info though.

Phractocephalus pseudopfasiatus

Phractocephalus pseudopfasiatus

Good catfish at 12"