Asian redtail catfish
Large Asian bagrid catfish with a bright red tail.
The Asian redtail catfish is a large freshwater species from the Mekong and Thai river systems. It grows up to 130 cm and is valued for food, aquaculture, and the aquarium trade, though it is invasive in Malaysia.
- Largest bagrid catfish in Asia
- Tail turns bright red at 15 cm length
- Invasive species in Malaysian rivers
- Enters flooded forests to spawn
What it is
This species belongs to the bagrid family of catfish. It is the largest member of its group in Asia, reaching lengths of 130 centimetres and weights of 80 kilograms. Young fish have white tail fins, which turn bright red once they grow past 15 centimetres. It looks similar to Hemibagrus wyckii but lacks serrations on its dorsal fin spine and has shorter barbels.
Where it lives
Native populations live in the Mekong basin and river systems in Thailand, including the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong. They inhabit large upland rivers, preferring areas with rocky substrates and varying depths. An introduced population now exists in Malaysia, where the fish escaped from farms or were released illegally.
How it lives
These catfish do not undertake long migrations. They feed on a varied diet of insects, prawns, crabs, and other fish. During the high water season from July to October, they move into flooded forests to reproduce locally. They are active predators in their native rocky river habitats.
Breeding and life cycle
Spawning occurs locally rather than through long-distance migration. The fish enter flooded forest areas when water levels rise between July and October. This seasonal movement allows them to reproduce in the expanded habitat provided by the floodwaters.
Fish and people
Markets sell this fish fresh for consumption, and it is raised in aquaculture across Asia. Aquarium enthusiasts import it, noting its tendency to rearrange tank decorations and its aggressive nature. It accepts various foods but requires careful handling due to its size and temperament.
Status and threats
It is considered an invasive species in Malaysia. Authorities banned keeping it in net cages there after individuals escaped farms or were released into wild rivers. This measure aims to protect local ecosystems from its predatory impact.
Questions people ask about Asian redtail catfish
How big does the Asian redtail catfish get?
It can reach a total length of 130 centimetres and weigh up to 80 kilograms. This makes it the largest bagrid catfish found in Asia.
Why is it called the redtail catfish?
The caudal fin is white in young fish but changes to a bright red colour once the animal reaches about 15 centimetres in length.
Is this fish dangerous in an aquarium?
It is known for aggressive behaviour and may rearrange tank decorations. Experts advise leaving it alone and note it is sometimes claimed to be highly aggressive.
Where is this fish considered invasive?
It is an invasive species in Malaysia. Individuals escaped from fish farms or were released illegally, leading to a ban on keeping them in net cages.
Good reading and sources
- Hemibagrus wyckioides on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Hemibagrus wyckioides", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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