A stout armoured catfish in chocolate brown with bold cream stripes and a row of hooked thorns along each flank. Lift it out of the water and it creaks at you, audibly and with feeling.
Temperament
Common health issues
- Ich (white spot)
- Fin rot
- Parasites
Care at a glance
- ExerciseLow
A calm, unhurried swimmer โ peaceful surroundings suit them best.
- GroomingAttentive tank care
Sensitive to water quality โ stay on top of testing and maintenance.
- Living spaceNano-tank friendly
Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
- Owner experienceSome experience helps
A little know-how makes life smoother.
- Commitment10โ15 years
Plan for a long, loving relationship.
Health to watch: Ich (white spot) ยท Fin rot ยท Parasites
๐ Care guide
The Striped Raphael (Platydoras armatulus) comes from the Amazon, Orinoco and Paraguay basins and reaches about 15 to 20 cm, occasionally more. It belongs to the thorny or talking catfish family: its flanks carry rows of bony hooked plates, and it stridulates loudly enough to be heard across a room when handled. Both features mean it must never be moved in a net, which it will shred and get hopelessly stuck in. It needs 200 litres or more at 22-28C, pH 6.0 to 7.8, with a sand bed, caves, wood and dim light, since it is strictly nocturnal and will spend the day wedged out of sight. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, mysis and prawn in the evening. It is peaceful and hardy with a very long life, often fifteen years, but it will hoover up any fish small enough to fit in its mouth while they sleep, so nano fish and shrimp are not compatible. With medium community fish or South American cichlids it is an excellent, undemanding bottom-dweller.
Frequently asked questions
How active is a Striped Raphael Catfish?
Low. A calm, unhurried swimmer โ peaceful surroundings suit them best.
How much maintenance does a Striped Raphael Catfish need?
Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality โ stay on top of testing and maintenance.
What tank size does a Striped Raphael Catfish need?
Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
Is a Striped Raphael Catfish a good fit for first-time owners?
Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.
How long do Striped Raphael Catfish live?
10โ15 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.
What health issues affect the Striped Raphael Catfish?
Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Parasites. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.
Similar breeds
Striped Raphael Catfish community
0 members
Be the first to join this community!
Community feed
Not sure this is the breed for you?
Answer 7 short questions and get ranked matches for your lifestyle.
Try the match quiz