Red Tailed Catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus)

The Red-Tailed Catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) is a large, freshwater species native to the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo river basins in South America. Instantly recognizable by its broad, flat head and striking red-orange tail, this powerful predator can grow over a meter long in the wild. It inhabits deep, slow-moving rivers and floodplains, where it uses its sensitive barbels to locate prey in murky waters. Despite its size, it is a shy and nocturnal fish, spending much of the day hidden among submerged structures or riverbanks.