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Asian redtail catfish (Hemibagrus nemurus) — Bagridae

Asian redtail catfish

Hemibagrus nemurus
Family: Bagridae
LC · Least Concern

The Asian redtail catfish (Hemibagrus nemurus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Bagridae that grows up to 65 cm.

Length
65 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
5.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Asian redtail catfish is a bagrid catfish (Bagridae) from Southeast Asia. The species has an elongate, scaleless body with four pairs of long barbels, an adipose fin and an often reddish tail. It occurs in nearly all water types, but most in large, muddy rivers with slow current and soft bottom. As a nocturnal predator it takes fishes, crustaceans and insects. The sturdy, serrated pectoral fin spines can inflict painful puncture wounds when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Asian redtail catfish?

The Asian redtail catfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Asian redtail catfish live?

The Asian redtail catfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Asian redtail catfish get?

The Asian redtail catfish grows to a maximum of about 65 cm.

Is the Asian redtail catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Asian redtail catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Asian redtail catfish edible?

Yes, the Asian redtail catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roodstaart-stekelmeerval sourced
English name
Asian redtail catfish verified
Scientific name
Hemibagrus nemurus
Family
Bagridae
Other names
Asian redtail catfish; River catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
65.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Hemibagrus

More from the family Bagridae

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