(Please note that the fish shown in the photo is only a representative of what an adult specimen would look like. The color may vary based on the age and sex of the fish you receive.)
Scientific Name: Platydoras armatulus
Common Name: Southern Striped Raphael, Talking Catfish, Chocolate Doradid, Chocolate Catfish, Thorny Catfish
Adult Size: 8 - 10 inches
Life Expectancy: 10 - 15 years
Habitat: South America
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallon
Ideal Tank Conditions:
- Temperature Range: 75 - 80°F
- pH Range: 6.5 – 7.5
- Hardness Range: 4 - 20
Temperament: Peaceful, however, please note that these fish have sharp and rigid ray fins. Whenever the fish is feeling threatened, they will pop their fins up for protection. Exercise caution when moving these fish. The rays are quite sharp and can do a considerable amount of damage.
Diet & Nutrition: The wild Raphael catfish diet includes crustaceans, mollusks, and organic debris. In captivity, they can be fed blood worms, fish flakes, and sinking catfish pellets.
Breeding & Spawning: Wide scale breeding of this species has yet to be accomplished in captivity. This is most likely due to the fact that it is difficult to replicate the spawning conditions of their wild habitats. In the wild, they have been observed spawning in fast-moving rivers.
Gender: Females have very round bellies since they are carrying eggs. Males tend to be darker in color. Females are more of a cream color