Asian Red Tailed Catfish

Bright red caudal fin in specimens bigger than about 15 cm SL; whitish in smaller ones (Ref. 27732). Adipose fin long (length of adipose-fin base 18.7-25.7% SL), with a gently-sloping anterior margin; dorsal spine poorly ossified and short (7.5-11.4% SL) without serrations on posterior edge; length of dorsal-fin base 16.3-18.3% SL; maxillary barbels reaching to at least middle of adipose fin base (230.1-297.0% HL) (Ref. 38441). Head flat rather than conical; a short occipital process not close to basal bone of dorsal fin; no stripes on body (Ref. 12693).

Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 8; Analsoft rays: 12 - 14; Vertebrae: 52 - 53

Occurs in large upland rivers. Common in areas with rocky bottoms and irregular depths (Ref. 12693). Apparently does not migrate but reproduces locally and enters the flooded forest during high water in July-October (Ref. 38441). Feeds on insects, prawns, fish (Ref. 33813) and crabs (Ref. 38441). Marketed fresh (Ref. 12693). Maximum weight reported for an individual caught in Mae Klong River, Thailand, reached 86 kg (J-F. Helias, pers.comm., 07/2002; see photo Hewyc_u0.jpg).