PlanetCatfish.com

hi can any one clear this up for me,H nemurus,H wykkiodes(not bad off top of my head)know the latter is the red tailed sp,but the fish sold as M nemerus for years is which one of these?

Asian redtails are , as is the fish usually sold as H. nemurus.
The real is sort of a drab gray/brown overall (no red tail) and is slightly more deeper bodied than an ART.

thanks for that Does H wykioides have a red tail when young ie under 10cm?and do they have white maxillary barbels?

The red tail in H. wyckioides is often not evident, especially in juveniles. Even older fish kept in aquaria don't have much of a red to their tails (wild caught ARTs have brilliant red tails, though). The easiest way to spot a young ART is by their gray (never brown) bodies and, as you mentioned, white maxillary barbels.

How large of a tank do you need for a solitary specimen? I have heard they rarely get over 15 inches in an aquarium. Is that true?

I don't know for sure, but I wouldn't count on it given their appetite and growth rate.

They make great macho pets, quickly establishing a sado-masochistic relationship with their owner during the process of hand-taming.

Converting wrote: I have heard they rarely get over 15 inches in an aquarium. Is that true?

False -> there is a 23" one listed for sale currently in the classifieds on this site because it out grew the 180 gallon someone had him in. Unless you have a pond for this fish, you are better off looking at keeping more manageable species.

there is a 23" one listed for sale currently in the classifieds on this site

Isn't that for a South American redtail?

Silurus wrote:

there is a 23" one listed for sale currently in the classifieds on this site

Isn't that for a South American redtail?

My bad, that was an "Amazon redtail".

so is 18" about max they get? know they are bigger in wild.my local shop just got a shippment in of these, also Heterobagrus bocourti ( forgive spelling if incorrect) so anyone at convention who wants them.

Have you looked at the new pics of wild-caught in the Cat-eLog?

I think I've seen an estimate of 26" for tank-raised specimens.