Redtail Catfish

Overview

Redtail Catfish is a large freshwater fish species found in the river zones of Starsand Island. Easily recognized by its distinctive bright red tail fin, this catfish is a solid mid-tier catch at 121g per fish. Unlike many seasonal species, the Redtail Catfish appears across two seasons (spring and winter) in any weather, giving anglers more opportunities to catch it. It has a split time window, so check the schedule carefully when planning your fishing trips.

Catch Details

How to Catch

Redtail Catfish appears in spring and winter during any weather condition, which makes it more accessible than weather-locked species. However, it has a split time window: 06:00 to 14:00 in the morning and 18:00 to 24:00 in the evening. There is a 4-hour gap between 14:00 and 18:00 where Redtail Catfish will not bite.

Head to any river fishing spot and use either Bug Bait or Meat Bait to attract shadows. Bug Bait is crafted at the Chopper III from caught bugs, while Meat Bait is crafted at the Chopper I from any fish. The flexibility of accepting two bait types means you can use whichever is more convenient or switch between them to attract different species alongside the Redtail Catfish.

The Redtail Catfish is a sizeable fish and puts up a decent fight. Using the Chrono Rod or higher is recommended. Reel when the indicator turns white and release when it turns red.

Split Time Window

The split time window is a trait shared by several fish in Starsand Island, including the Clown Featherback (06:00-12:00, 18:00-00:00), the Bass (06:00-08:00, 18:00-20:00), and the Black Scraper (06:00-12:00, 16:00-22:00). The gap in the middle of the day gives you time to handle other tasks or switch to a different fishing zone before returning for the evening session.

Selling and Profit

At 121g, the Redtail Catfish sits in the mid-range of river fish prices. It matches the Leaffish and Glass Bloodfin Tetra in value. The Merchant Ship pays 242g per Redtail Catfish. Processing into Fish Fillet at the Separator and using it in recipes is the most efficient way to convert your catch into profit.

Recipes Using Fish Fillet

Redtail Catfish produces Fish Fillet at the Separator. This ingredient is used in cooking recipes such as:

• Grilled Fish (3x Fish Fillet)

• Steamed Fish (4x Fish Fillet, 2x Leek)

• Braised Fish (6x Fish Fillet, 2x Leek, 2x Sugar, 1x Fine Salt)

• Sashimi (3x Fish Fillet, 2x Rice)

• Pan Fried Dilis (3x Fish Fillet, 2x Cooking Oil)

• Shrimp and Fish Porridge (2x Fish Fillet, 1x Greasyback Shrimp, 2x Rice)

Fish Pond Breeding

Redtail Catfish requires 5 oxygen per fish in a Fish Pond. The Small and Stone ponds (12 oxygen) can hold only 2 Redtail Catfish, while the Medium Pond (40 oxygen) accommodates up to 8. The high oxygen cost matches other large river species like the Zander and Clown Featherback. Stock the pond with Fish Feed daily for a chance at egg production.

Islandpedia

Registering Redtail Catfish in the Islandpedia adds it to the Fish stamp collection. Since it is available across two seasons and in any weather, it is one of the easier seasonal fish to check off compared to single-season, single-weather species.

Tips

• Plan your day around the split window: fish in the morning (06:00-14:00), handle farm chores during the gap (14:00-18:00), then return for the evening session (18:00-24:00).

• Bug Bait and Meat Bait both work, so use whatever you have more of. Switching bait types mid-session can also help attract different species for a more varied catch.

• The any-weather requirement means you never need to check the forecast for this fish. Just head to the river during spring or winter.

• If you are breeding Redtail Catfish in ponds, pair them with zero-oxygen fish like Siberian Taimen to make the most of your pond capacity.

• The 121g price is decent but not top-tier. Prioritize cooking Fish Fillet into dishes for maximum income.