The best food for a redtail catfish is a varied carnivore diet: quality sinking carnivore pellets, plus shrimp, krill, earthworms, and chunks of thawed whole fish. Juveniles eat every day or two, and adults usually eat a few times a week. Just as important, these fish grow very large, so make sure you can house one before you buy.
Know the Size First
Redtail catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) can reach several feet long and live for decades. A fish that is small and cute in a store will outgrow nearly any home aquarium. They need enormous tanks, often described as public-aquarium scale, and strong filtration. If you cannot provide that, choose a smaller catfish.
What Redtail Catfish Eat
- Sinking carnivore pellets: A convenient staple that gives balanced nutrition. Choose large pellets sized for big predators.
- Shrimp, prawns, and krill: Good protein. Use raw, unseasoned seafood sold for human or pet use.
- Earthworms: Good for juveniles and variety. Use worms sold for fishing or pets, not wild ones that may carry chemicals.
- Whole fish pieces: Thawed smelt, tilapia, or similar fish, cut to size.
- Some plant matter: In nature redtails also eat fruit and seeds that fall into the water, so occasional treats are fine but not necessary.
What to Avoid
- Feeder fish: Cheap feeder goldfish can carry parasites and disease and are nutritionally poor.
- Mammal and poultry meat: High in fats that fish handle poorly.
- Flakes for adults: Too small to be a proper diet for a large predator.
How Often to Feed
Young redtails grow quickly and can be fed daily or every other day. Adults do well on a few meals per week. Offer an amount they finish within a few minutes, and remove leftovers. Overfeeding causes poor water quality and obesity. Because they produce large amounts of waste, expect heavy filtration and frequent water changes.
Tankmates and Safety
Redtails will eat anything that fits in their mouths, including tankmates, so choose only very large, robust fish. See food for red tail catfish and cheap catfish food for more feeding options.
Health Notes
Poor water quality, stress, and bad diet can lead to fin problems and infections. If your fish stops eating for several days, check water parameters first. For persistent problems, consult an aquatic vet. This article is general information.
Bottom Line
Feed a redtail catfish carnivore pellets, shrimp, krill, worms, and fish chunks in a rotation, with meals every day or two for juveniles and a few times a week for adults. Above all, plan for the enormous adult size.
