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
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Acestrorhynchidae
Origin
South America

Overview

This is a difficult fish that needs a very large tank, at least 380 liters and realistically more for length, with strong filtration. It patrols the mid to upper water and will eat any tankmate small enough to fit in its mouth, so house it only with fish too large to swallow. It often refuses dry food and wants meaty items like whole fish, shrimp, and krill. Plan for skittish behavior and give it open space.

In the wild

Red tail barracuda come from the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America, living in open stretches of clear, slow to moderate rivers where they hunt in the water column. Submerged wood and plants along the banks give them ambush cover. In the tank they need a lot of length and open swimming room more than decor. Keep the pH from 6 to 7.5 and temps in the low to high 20s C, and use a tight-fitting lid.

Good to know

This is a predatory characin relative in the family Acestrorhynchidae, built with a long torpedo body and a mouth full of needle teeth. Adults reach around 30 cm. It is a fast pursuit hunter that feeds mainly on other fish. There is no captive breeding record for it, and it is not considered threatened in the wild.

Did you know

Despite the name it is not related to true marine barracuda. The label just comes from the similar shape and hunting style. Newly imported fish are very jumpy and will bolt at sudden movement, sometimes hard enough to injure their nose on the glass or hood, which is the main reason a secure lid and a calm tank location matter so much.

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.

How big does a Red tail barracuda get?

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

Related species