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Hyrtl's Catfish

Hyrtl's Catfish

Hyrtl's Catfish is a small, widespread native catfish found across northern and inland Australia. While not a mainstream target species, it's a genuine bucket-list fish for native species chasers and a fascinating catch in remote drainages.

In the Finke River it can be the most abundant fish in a waterhole, yet rarely seen until you shine a torch in at night.

Scientific Name: Neosilurus hyrtlii

Also known as Glencoe Tandan, Hyrtl's Tandan, Inland Catfish, Common Eel-Tail Catfish, Moonfish, Moony, Mottled Tandan, Yellow Fin Tandan, White Tandan, Salmon Catfish

Physical Characteristics:
  • Elongate, eel-like body tapering sharply toward the tail; no scales; dark brown to silver-grey above, whitish on the belly — colour can shift from yellow to near-black depending on conditions.
  • Four pairs of barbels around the broad, slightly flattened head — the Arrernte name for this fish translates roughly as 'mouth beard', which sums it up well.
  • During spawning, both sexes develop silver flanks and yellow fins — a useful field ID marker.
  • Typically 10–20 cm; fish over 30 cm are less common, with a maximum around 40 cm recorded from the Alligator River.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Native to Australia; found from the Ashburton and Pilbara rivers in Western Australia, through the Kimberley, across the Top End, Cape York, and south to the Mary River in Queensland.
  • Also present in the Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda) drainage system and the upper Darling River system — one of the few native fish that bridges northern coastal and arid inland drainages.
  • Occupies a wide range of freshwater habitats: clear flowing streams, turbid rivers, billabongs, stagnant pools, and waterholes. The only eel-tailed catfish in the Finke River.
  • A shoal-forming species — where you find one, there are usually more nearby, especially in deeper waterholes during dry conditions.

Key Locations

  • Finke River, NT — the only eel-tailed catfish in this system and can be the most abundant fish in a waterhole.
  • Alligator River system, NT — where the largest recorded fish (to 40 cm) have come from.
  • Kimberley rivers, WA — part of the species' core northern range.
  • Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda) drainage, SA/NT — notable for its presence in arid-zone waterways far from the coast.

Specific Spots

  • Deep waterholes and pools during the dry season — fish concentrate here as surrounding water recedes, making them easier to locate.
  • Undercut banks, submerged timber, and rock ledges at night — this species is strongly nocturnal and moves into shallower water after dark to feed.
  • Sandy upper reaches of streams at the start of the wet season, when fish move into shallows to spawn.
  • Billabong edges with soft substrate and organic debris, where invertebrate prey is most abundant.

Hyrtl's Catfish FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Hyrtl's Catfish?

Worms, scrub worms, and small yabbies are the go-to baits, fished on the bottom near structure or in the deeper part of a waterhole after dark. Small soft-plastic grubs or curl-tail lures on a 1/32–1/16 oz jig head can work when fish are active at night, crawled slowly along the substrate.

When is the best time to fish for Hyrtl's Catfish?

Dry season (roughly May–October), fish concentrate in shrinking waterholes and are easier to locate; this is the most reliable time to target them in inland and northern drainages.

How do you catch Hyrtl's Catfish?

Most anglers encounter Hyrtl's Catfish while targeting other native species in remote northern and inland waters. Dedicated pursuit means fishing waterholes and billabongs at night with a torch to locate fish, then presenting small bait rigs on the bottom near structure.

What do Hyrtl's Catfish eat?

Feeds mainly on aquatic insects, small crustaceans (including crayfish and prawns), worms, molluscs, and some detritus. Small soft-plastic grubs or worm imitations on a light jig head are a practical match for this forage.

Where do Hyrtl's Catfish live?

Native to Australia; found from the Ashburton and Pilbara rivers in Western Australia, through the Kimberley, across the Top End, Cape York, and south to the Mary River in Queensland.

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