TankBud

Red tail barracuda

Acestrorhynchus falcatus

FreshwaterFish

Red tail barracuda (Acestrorhynchus falcatus)
Vassil · CC0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
11.8 in
30 cm
Minimum tank
100 gal
380 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Acestrorhynchidae
Origin
South America

Overview

The red tail barracuda is a long, fast predatory characin for a very large tank of big fish. It is a fish for experienced keepers.

Did you know

Despite the name, the red tail barracuda is not related to true marine barracuda. The label comes only from its similar shape and hunting style.

Caring for the red tail barracuda

Give the red tail barracuda a very large tank, at least 100 gal (380 L) and realistically more for length. It needs length and open swimming room more than decor. Use strong filtration, and keep the water at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.

Newly imported fish are skittish and very jumpy, and they bolt at sudden movement. They can hit the glass or hood hard enough to injure their nose. A secure lid and a calm spot for the tank matter for that reason.

It often refuses dry food and wants meaty items such as whole fish, shrimp and krill. It patrols the mid to upper water and will eat any tank mate small enough to fit in its mouth. House it only with fish too large to swallow. There is no captive breeding record for it.

Good to know

The red tail barracuda is a predatory characin relative in the family Acestrorhynchidae. It has a long torpedo body and a mouth full of needle teeth. It is a fast pursuit hunter that feeds mainly on other fish, and it is not considered threatened in the wild.

In the wild

Red tail barracuda come from the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. They live in open stretches of clear, slow to moderate rivers and hunt in the water column. Submerged wood and plants along the banks give them ambush cover.

Common questions

What size tank does a red tail barracuda need?

A red tail barracuda needs at least 100 gal (380 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a red tail barracuda need?

A red tail barracuda is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a red tail barracuda eat?

A red tail barracuda eats meaty items such as whole fish, shrimp and krill. It often refuses dry food, and it will eat any tank mate small enough to fit in its mouth.

How big does a red tail barracuda get?

An adult red tail barracuda reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).

Related species