From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Striped Raphael Catfish
Platydoras armatulus
- Temperature
- 22–30 °C
- pH
- 5.8 – 7.5
- Min. tank size
- 200 L
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- easy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Platydoras armatulus |
| Family: | Doradidae |
| Origin: | South America (Amazon basin) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 24.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | Can be kept alone |
| Varieties: | No cultivated strains — this is a wild-type fish and the bold cream-on-dark striping needs no improvement. Juveniles are more strongly contrasted than adults, and the stripes soften somewhat with age, which occasionally causes people to think they have bought a different fish. Most trade stock is wild-caught or farm-produced in South America. The taxonomy has shifted. The species was long traded as Platydoras costatus, which is now understood to be a different fish, so older books and shop labels use that name for this species. Other doradids reach the trade and are worth distinguishing by adult size. The chocolate or spotted Raphael (Agamyxis pectinifrons) stays smaller at around 15 cm; various Acanthodoras species are smaller again. At the other extreme, the ripsaw catfish (Oxydoras niger) exceeds a metre and is sold as an appealing small juvenile. All the doradids share the armoured build, the locking spines and the talking, and all should be moved in a container. |
| Lifespan: | 10-15 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Medium to high
- Min Tank:200 L
- Substrate:Soft sand; caves and hiding spots for daytime shelter
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:High
Striped Raphael Catfish (Platydoras armatulus) is a species of fish in the family Doradidae. It is native to South America (Amazon basin). The striped Raphael catfish is a bony, armoured, boldly striped catfish that talks — and that can put a spine through your hand. It produces sound two ways. It grinds the pectoral fin spines against their sockets for a buzzing stridulation, and it contracts muscles attached to the skull and swim bladder for a deeper resonance. A netted fish is loudly audible, which is how the doradids earned the name talking catfish. The same spines are the hazard. Sharp pectoral spines can cause an eye-watering wound if you are impaled by one, and they become entangled in net mesh immediately. It reaches 240 mm standard length and is described as totally unaggressive — while also eating smaller fish, which are two facts that sit together more comfortably than they sound. It is also tolerant of its own kind, so a group works.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Can be kept alone
- Swims
- bottom
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Striped Raphael Catfish
Matched on family, then category, then water type