The "Tankbuster"

The hobby of fishkeeping is as prone to one-upmanship as any other. While some book collectors will go any length to get their hands on a pristine first edition and car enthusiasts will do almost anything to squeeze even more horsepower out of their engines, so too will some fishkeepers compete over the contents of their aquariums.

In these cases, the fish themselves become “living status symbols” as avid aquarists vie with one another to display the biggest, the most expensive or the rarest fish possible. Unfortunately, while some fishkeepers take the time to properly research their purchases and have the means and commitment to house and care for them suitably, the same can’t be said for everyone, and some species, in particular, have fallen victim to fishkeepers that buy first and ask questions later.

One such species is the Red-Tailed Catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus), a beautiful, powerful freshwater giant that hails from the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo rivers of Venezuela and Brazil. The redtail catfish is the only living representative of this genus, and despite reaching lengths of up to 5 ft 11 in and weighing up to 180 lbs, this fish is still all too commonly found in private aquaria. Unsuspecting collectors will often purchase these catfish as small and appealing juveniles, little realising the monster sizes they will eventually grow to. Once the catfish has simply grown too large for a home aquarium to accommodate, the owners will often frantically offer their unwanted fish to already inundated public aquaria or zoos or sadly dispose of them.

Needless to say, these beautiful, charismatic fish are not recommended for any but the most dedicated aquarists with the space and means to care for them appropriately. Modern thinking and a drive for better animal welfare has led to a greater level of self-regulation by many aquatic retailers in recent years. Additionally, campaigns such as the ‘Big Fish Campaign’ have helped to educate both retailers and customers alike about the specialist care needed for these glorious but demanding species. To find out more, visit the “Big Fish Campaign” website at www.bigfishcampaign.org