Red Tail Barracuda Care Guide
 
 
 
Species Overview
 
 
Scientific name: Acestrorhynchus falcatus
Origin: Amazon & Orinoco basins
Adult size: 25–30 cm (10–12”)
Temperament: Predatory, fast-swimming, semi-aggressive
Experience level: Intermediate–advanced
 
 
 
 
 
Tank Requirements
 
 
 
Tank Size
 
 
Single: Minimum 250 litres / 4 ft
Group (preferred): 450–600 litres / 5–6 ft for 3–5 individuals
 
 
 
Aquascape
 
 
Open swimming space, minimal clutter
Driftwood or branches along the back
Dimmish lighting preferred
Tight-fitting lid—excellent jumpers
 
 
 
Water Parameters
 
 
Temp: 24–28°C
pH: 6.2–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderate (2–12 dGH)
Flow: Moderate; appreciate a bit of current
Filtration: Strong, highly oxygenated, and clean
 
 
 
 
 
Diet
 
 
These are fish-eaters in the wild, but adapt well to non-live foods.
 
 
Offer:
 
 
Frozen lancefish, prawn, whitebait
Chopped fish fillet
High-protein carnivore pellets/sticks
Occasional live feeders only if quarantined and parasite-free
 
 
 
Feeding Tips
 
 
Feed small amounts 3–4 times weekly
Use tongs for hand safety
Avoid fatty meats (e.g., beefheart, chicken)
 
 
 
 
 
Behaviour & Tank Mates
 
 
Best kept in a small group—reduces skittish behaviour
Can be flighty; sudden movement causes darting
Keep with large, fast, non-bite-sized tank mates, such as:
Silver dollars
Larger tetras (e.g., Congo, red hooks)
Larger geophagus species
Flagtail / big characins
 
 
 
 
Avoid:
 
 
Anything under 7–8 cm (they will eat it)
Slow or long-finned fish
Aggressive cichlids that may nip
 
 
 
 
 
Health & Maintenance
 
 
Weekly water changes (40–50%)
Monitor for:
Stress from poor water quality
Injury from darting
Parasites if fed unquarantined feeders
 
Provide strong oxygenation—powerheads or spray bars help
 
 
 
 
 
Breeding
 
 
Extremely rare in aquaria
No reliable reports of home breeding
Wild caught is most common
 
 
 
 
 
Quick Care Summary