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It took a hostage!!! After a night of mayhem, I'm told, it grabbed hold of a Parrot cichlid and wouldn't let go of it.

I know I shouldn't laugh, but I warned them that catfish was bad news waiting for a headline.

Anyhow, the Parrot survived, but it's covered in bite marks. They've put the Red-Tail in their water reservoir while they decide what to do with it.

I have heard of these being vicious, but I have 2 that have never harmed any other fish in my tank. They just like to hang out over in the corner by themselves.

This one had been peaceful, up until now. I don't know why it suddenly snapped. Previously it had just ignored the cichlids.

Chrysichthys wrote: -

This one had been peaceful, up until now. I don't know why it suddenly snapped. Previously it had just ignored the c*****ds.

My experience with these is that when small say around 30cm SL, some will tolerate other tank mates that obviously wont fit into their mouths; However, with age and size I have found that they usually tend not only to eat or attempt to eat other tank mates but they also show a tendency to try and bite the hand that feeds it.
the Husbandry information on in the Cat-elog is the norm for these.
Although saying this; as chacachaca says

I have heard of these being vicious, but I have 2 that have never harmed any other fish in my tank. They just like to hang out over in the corner by themselves.

I did hear some years ago about a guy who claimed his
Hemibagrus wyckiodes was not aggressive to a couple of large pangasius that he shared a tank with.

@chacachaca
How large are your H wyckiodes and have you any pics of them?
Also; It would be nice if you could keep us all posted over time of how your Asian red tails are doing, regarding
there temperament.

medaka wrote:they also show a tendency to try and bite the hand that feeds it

I taught the one I used to have to take food from my hand. As a result, it would bite my fingers when I put my hand in the water.

When it was originally bagged up for me (at the size of about 3"), somebody else accidentally took it home. During the night it--well, let's just say Hemibagrus, one, neon tetras, zero.

They brought it back in a hurry.

chacachaca wrote:They just like to hang out over in the corner by themselves.

While they plan their strategy....

Off subject I know; but,
Chrysichthys wrote: -

I taught the one I used to have to take food from my hand. As a result, it would bite my fingers when I put my hand in the water.

I had exactly the same experience with a arrowana
It was fine from 6inches, but it had a go at my hand when it reached 14inches. Ouch

Sometimes the Red-tail would miss, and there would be a loud snap as its jaws met.

wow that is a scary fish.

My 6" Redtail ate my 4" silver shark