Genus · Catfish

Hemibagrus

Hemibagrus is a genus with 3 species in this atlas, catalogued in the Catfish section, recorded from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and 4 more countries. Adult sizes run from 13 in to 39.5 in. Every species below links to a full researched profile.

Species in atlas
3
Adult sizes
13–39.5 in
IUCN assessed
3 of 3 · 1 threatened
Recorded from
7 countries

About the genus

Hemibagrus is a genus of Asian bagrid catfish (family Bagridae) distributed across river systems from Bangladesh and Myanmar through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, into Indonesia. The atlas covers 3 species, spanning a striking size range — from roughly 13 in up to 39.5 in — and sharing the typical bagrid build: an elongated body, an adipose fin, and four pairs of barbels around the mouth used to hunt by scent and touch in the murky water of large rivers and floodplain habitats.

Two species, Hemibagrus nemurus and H. wyckioides, share the common name 'Asian redtail catfish' and are the ones most likely to turn up in the hobby, sold mainly to keepers of very large aquaria or ornamental ponds who want a bold, reddish-finned predatory catfish — H. wyckioides in particular is among the bigger bagrids and is not a fish for anything but a substantial setup. Across most of their range Hemibagrus species are also significant food fish for local fisheries. Conservation status is mixed across the genus: one species rated Least Concern, one Vulnerable, and one not yet evaluated.

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable · 1 Least Concern · 1 Not Evaluated · 1

The 3 species

Every Hemibagrus recorded in this atlas. Each card links to a full researched profile — distribution, water parameters, and aquarium care, cited to primary sources.

(Valenciennes, 1840)

Asian redtail catfish, River catfish, Nemurus catfish

39.5 in SL · LC

(Valenciennes, 1840)

13 in TL · VU

(Fang & Chaux, 1949)

Asian redtail catfish, Dwarf catfish

23.5 in SL · NE

Explore further

How to cite

Aquarist Atlas (2026). Genus Hemibagrus. Aquarist Atlas. https://www.aquaristatlas.com/hemibagrus/

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