Phantom Red Tail Catfish 7”

Quick Summary

• Common Name: Phantom Redtail Catfish

• Type: Hybrid monster catfish

• Adult Size: Often 3–4 feet or larger

• Lifespan: 15–20 years

• Temperament: Aggressive predator but can be personable

• Difficulty Level: Advanced

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 300+ gallons for juveniles, indoor pond or massive aquarium for adults

• Temperature: 75–82°F

• pH: 6.5–7.5

• Filtration: Extremely powerful filtration required

• Aquascape: Open swimming space with strong tank covers

Diet

Carnivorous and heavy eaters:

• Shrimp

• Fish fillets

• Tilapia

• Earthworms

• Sinking carnivore pellets

• Mussels and other meaty foods

Avoid overfeeding because they grow extremely fast and produce heavy waste.

Tankmates

Can be kept with:

• Arowanas

• Large stingrays

• Pacus

• Datnoids

• Other large monster fish

Avoid:

• Small fish

• Slow tankmates

• Anything that fits in its mouth

Important Notes

• Extremely fast-growing fish.

• Produces a huge bioload.

• Can become very interactive with owners.

• Needs long-term planning due to adult size.

• Not suitable for standard home aquariums long-term.

A popular centerpiece fish for monster fish keepers, but best suited for very large systems or indoor ponds.