Arius leptaspis
| Common Names: | Salmontail Catfish |
| Synonyms: | Hexanematichthys leptaspis |
| Family: | Ariidae |
| Category: | Catfish_Bottom_Feeders |
| Distribution: | Australia; Northern Australia and central-southern areas of New Guinea |
| Main Ecosystem: | Estuary; Estuary |
| Temperament: | Schooling; Peaceful, very active. Will eat small fish as it gets larger. |
| Diet: | Ominvore; Mostly carnivore, but also eats terrestrial fruits, aquatic plants, and bottom detritus |
| Care: | Feed with sinking pellets. Use small grained gravel and do not use gravel with sharp edges. Hiding places are not required as the Salmontail Catfish usually spend their days swimming up and down the glass until feeding time. Care should be taken when handling this fish, as the sharp dorsal and pectoral spines are covered in a mucus that will irritate the skin. Can live in fresh or brackish water. |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 80cm (31.5") Female: 80cm (31.5") |
| Water Region: | Bottom; Bottom |
| Activity: | Nocturnal; Nocturnal |
| Gender: | Cannot be determined from external features. |
| Breeding: | Not accomplished in an aquarium. |
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| Comments: | Over the years a Salmontail catfish will easily outgrow all except the largest aquariums. Swimming action and fin shapes resembles a shark. |
| Main Colours: | Black |
| Markings: | No Markings |
| Mouth: | Downturned |
| Tail: | Forked |
| Search: | Show similar species Find compatible species |
| Image Credit: | © FishProfiles.com |
| Submitted By: | Adam |
| History: | View changes to this profile |
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