Striped Raphael catfish
Encyclopedia
Striped Raphael catfish, Platydoras armatulus, is a catfish of the family Doradidae
. It may also be called talking catfish, chocolate doradid, chocolate catfish or thorny catfish. This peaceful, nocturnal species is a popular aquarium fish due to its pleasant temperament and curious nature.
The striped raphael catfish has long been identified as Platydoras costatus
.
, Tocantins
, Parnaíba
, Orinoco, Essequibo River
s in French Guiana
and Suriname
of South America
. They have been introduced into the contiguous states of the United States
.
They have rigid pectoral fin spines. The striped Raphael catfish also has tiny and curved protective spines running along its body. The striped Raphael catfish can grow up to 9½ inches (24 cm).
Juvenile raphael catfish have been recorded cleaning piscivorous fish such as Hoplias cf. malabaricus. The stripe pattern in the young may serve as a signal that allows for its recognition as a cleaner. It is noted that the striping pattern is not as strong in adults, and so the cleaning behavior is probably only seen in juveniles.
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These fish grow up to 9 to 12 cm
The striped Raphael catfish is a fine and sociable community fish that are peaceful to fellow catfishes and other fish species. However, they are nocturnal, and are usually not visible during the day.
It is best not to catch the striped Raphael catfish with a fish net because they are prone to sticking out their pectoral fin spines in a very rigid manner, especially if stressed. Untangling these spines from a net is difficult and dangerous to both handler and fish. Alternative methods should be used
Although known as a spawning fish, sexual differences are unknown and there have been no reports of being successfully bred in captivity. Because of this, these fish must be wild-caught, and therefore contaminants sometime occur in the hobby, such as Orinocodoras eigenmanni
, which differs in a longer snout.
Also if you are cleaning a tank with one in it. While taking it out without (due to them being snagged by their spikes along side their body) a net along with the Featherfin Squeaker it will make some grunting/squeaking noises while out of water.
Doradidae
Doradidae is a family of catfishes also known as thorny catfishes or talking catfishes. These fish are native to South America, primarily in Brazil, Peru, and the Guianas.Doradids are omnivorous.-Taxonomy:...
. It may also be called talking catfish, chocolate doradid, chocolate catfish or thorny catfish. This peaceful, nocturnal species is a popular aquarium fish due to its pleasant temperament and curious nature.
The striped raphael catfish has long been identified as Platydoras costatus
Platydoras costatus
Platydoras costatus is a species of catfish of the genus Platydoras. Although long thought to be the striped raphael catfish, this is not the case; the striped raphael catfish is actually Platydoras armatulus....
.
Origin and distribution
The striped Raphael catfish are commonly found in the AmazonAmazon River
The Amazon of South America is the second longest river in the world and by far the largest by waterflow with an average discharge greater than the next seven largest rivers combined...
, Tocantins
Tocantins River
The Tocantins is a river in Brazil, the central fluvial artery of the country. In the Tupi language, its name means "toucan's beak" . It runs from south to north for about 2,640 km. It is not really a branch of the Amazon River, although usually so considered, since its waters flow into the...
, Parnaíba
Parnaiba River
The Parnaíba River is a river in Brazil, which forms the border between the states of Maranhão and Piauí. The Parnaíba River rises in the Chapada das Mangabeiras range, and flows northeastward for 1,056 miles to empty into the Atlantic Ocean. The middle and upper regions of this river are...
, Orinoco, Essequibo River
Essequibo River
The Esequibo River is the largest river in Guyana, and the largest river between the Orinoco and Amazon. Rising in the Acarai Mountains near the Brazil-Guyana border, the Essequibo flows to the north for 1,010 km through forest and savanna into the Atlantic Ocean.-Geography:There are countless...
s in French Guiana
French Guiana
French Guiana is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department located on the northern Atlantic coast of South America. It has borders with two nations, Brazil to the east and south, and Suriname to the west...
and Suriname
Suriname
Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname , is a country in northern South America. It borders French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname was a former colony of the British and of the Dutch, and was previously known as...
of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. They have been introduced into the contiguous states of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Description and behavior
These fish burrow in the soft river bottoms and frequently occurs on sandy bottoms. These fish feed on mollusks, crustaceans, and organic debris.They have rigid pectoral fin spines. The striped Raphael catfish also has tiny and curved protective spines running along its body. The striped Raphael catfish can grow up to 9½ inches (24 cm).
Juvenile raphael catfish have been recorded cleaning piscivorous fish such as Hoplias cf. malabaricus. The stripe pattern in the young may serve as a signal that allows for its recognition as a cleaner. It is noted that the striping pattern is not as strong in adults, and so the cleaning behavior is probably only seen in juveniles.
In the aquarium
The striped Raphael catfish is a fine and sociable community fish that are peaceful to fellow catfishes and other fish species. However, they are nocturnal, and are usually not visible during the day.
It is best not to catch the striped Raphael catfish with a fish net because they are prone to sticking out their pectoral fin spines in a very rigid manner, especially if stressed. Untangling these spines from a net is difficult and dangerous to both handler and fish. Alternative methods should be used
Although known as a spawning fish, sexual differences are unknown and there have been no reports of being successfully bred in captivity. Because of this, these fish must be wild-caught, and therefore contaminants sometime occur in the hobby, such as Orinocodoras eigenmanni
Orinocodoras eigenmanni
Orinocodoras eigenmanni is the only species in the genus Orinocodoras of the catfish family Doradidae. This species originates from the Orinoco River basin and reaches a length of about 20 centimetres ....
, which differs in a longer snout.
Also if you are cleaning a tank with one in it. While taking it out without (due to them being snagged by their spikes along side their body) a net along with the Featherfin Squeaker it will make some grunting/squeaking noises while out of water.