The Striped Raphael Catfish (Platydoras armatulus) is a really interesting and tough freshwater fish, exciting most of the aquarists with its exotic appearance and hardy nature.
The nocturnal inhabitant is native to the slow- moving waters of the Amazon and Orinoco River basins in South America. Native to South America, this pecosmite is known for its armor-like scales and peaceful temper, despite the black and white stripes.
The following overview details what the natural habitat of the species is, how to care for them, and feed them, what makes good tank mates for them, how to breed them, what my personal experience with this fish is, and more on caring and keeping the Striped Raphael Catfish.
The Natural Habitat
Common Names
Chocolate Doradid, Striped Raphael Catfish, Talking Catfish
Origin
Amazon and Orinoco river basins include countries: Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela. Habitat: Inhabit slow-moving rivers, streams, and floodplains with warm temperatures and much organic matter in the water. Environmental Conditions Inhabitant of Striped Raphael Catfish at its wild habitat: Warm Temperatures: 75°F – 82°F (24°C – 28°C).
- Soft, slightly Acidic to Neutral water: pH readings of around 6.0 – 7.5.
- Turbid, heavily Vegetated waters: offering innumerable hiding places amidst the sunken root- and tree systems, leaf-fall and driftwood.
The Striped Raphael Catfish has a maximum length of 9 inches (23 cm), with a robust, elongated shape and a body that has bony plates for protection because they are a prey of most other fish. Its most remarkable characteristic is a chain of bold further contrasting black as well as white stripes, which move horizontally along the entirety of the physical body.
Unique Features
- Bony Scutes: It is a bony-plated fish, which gives it an armor-like covering.
- Barbels: They have long, sensitive whisker-like structures which protrude around the mouth, used while navigating in the dark, finding food.
- “Talking” Ability: Striped Raphael Catfish can make noises by rubbing their pectoral fins and other body parts to create sounds audible, a trait used for communication and defense.
How to Arrange the Perfect Aquarium for Striped Raphael Catfish
Tank Size and Style
For the better health of Striped Raphael Catfish:
- Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons per one catfish, even more, if there are more than one catfish
- Tank Shape: Rectangular, long tank; fish require a lot of horizontal space to swim freely. They need to have multiple hiding places.
Substrate and Decor
Substrate: Their delicate barbels need protection, so a soft, sandy substrate is ideal. A typical habitat also suits that type of environment.
- Hiding Spots: Plenty of hiding spots are to be given courtesy of driftwood, caves, rocks, and dense vegetation to offer an environment safe and where they feel comfortable.
- Lighting: The lighting should be dim, aiming at offering them an environment of low light since those catfish are nocturnal and prefer to become more active under such circumstances.
Water Conditions
- Temperature: Water temperatures are to be kept in the range of 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C).
- pH Level: The pH level must be.
- Filteration: Provide a good and reliable filter for the use to keep the water quality except able, but do not provide a filter causing strong currents. Striped Raphael Catfish prefers the slow and quite waters.
Feeding the Striped Raphael Catfish
Diet in the Wild
In natural surrounding, Striped Raphael Catfish from the wild are known to be active, opportunistic feeders, scavenging on a variety of food items,
- Insects and Their Larvae:Most of the diet consists of insects and their larvae.
- Very Small Crustaceans: very small crustaceans that.
- Plant Matter: Plant matter and organic detritus.
Diet in Captivity
In captive conditions, offer Striped Rafael Catfish a diet to support their nutrition levels:
- Sinking Pellets: Supplement, good quality sinking pellets, or wafers should be provided as they are bottom-dwellers.
- Live and Frozen Foods: Feed them bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia as treats once in a while.
- Vegetables: Feed them zucchinis, cucumbers, and spinach in their diet to supplement it as vegetables must be given or dulled.
- Scavenging: Will feed on left-over food and organic matter as well.
Feeding Frequency
Feed Striped Raphael Catfish once or twice a day, giving them a chance to eat the food that reaches the substrate at the bottom of the tank. Allow removal of uneaten food, since deposits of such food can cause pollution problems.
Tank Mates for Striped Raphael Catfish
Compatible Candidates
Striped Raphael Catfish is a peaceful species and can coexist with numerous similar-sized tank mates. Some of the fish that it could share the tank with are:
- Tetras: Excellent tankmates for striped raphael catfish are rummy nose tetras, neon tetras, and cardinal tetras.
- Corydoras Catfish: These bottom-dwellers have similar care needs and go to the same great lengths to avoid bother.
- Angelfish: Angelfish themselves or other peaceful cichlids make good tankmates.
- Plecos: Some of the smaller pleco species, for example, bristlenose plecos, it is a big enough tank. Types of Fish to Avoid
Don’t keep Striped Raphael Catfish with aggressive or quite large fish. This should preclude things like:
- Aggressive Fish: Large cichlids or aggressive barbs are likely to be a source of much harassment and ultimately injury to the catfish.
- Large Predatory Fish: Fish that may consider the Striped Raphael Catfish as a tasty morsel to include large catfish or pike cichlids.
Social Behavior
Striped Rafael Catfish are usually solitary but can be housed in groups if the aquarium is large enough to provide adequate hiding locations for each individual. These fish are nocturnal and show most of their activity at night. The rest of the day, they like to conceal under the specious of tank environment.
Health and Disease Prevention
Common Health Issues
Striped Raphael Catfish are hardy but can be susceptible to common fish diseases:
Ich: Ich is a parasitic infection that results in white spots on the skin; treatment is available with proper medication and raising the temperature slightly in the tank.
Bacterial Infections: These may cause ulcers or fin rot. Again, good water quality will significantly reduce any such risks. If necessary, antibacterial treatments will restore the health of an infected specimen.
Parasitic Infections: Their most common form is a result of internal parasites that can be eliminated by periodic deworming treatments.
- Regular Water Changes: Stick to a weekly 20-30% water change to make sure that water quality is kept at a high standard.
- Quarantine New Fish: Always make sure to quarantine new fish for at least two weeks before adding them into a larger tank. This way, you ensure that they cannot introduce their diseases into your aquarium or add stress to your existing fish.
- Observation: Make regular observations of your Striped Raphael Catfish for the presence of any disease or unusual behavior.
Breeding
Breeding Behavior
Breeding Striped Raphael Catfish can be done in a very challenging environment, but it is also possible. The following.
- Water Conditions: Keep water in optimum conditions at a slightly warmer temperatures than usual (78°F to 82°F) and perform frequent water changes to encourage breeding.
Breeding Stimulation
To stimulate breeding, recreate their natural environment as much as possible.
- Diet: Feeding high-quality and a well-balanced diet will keep your breeding pairs healthy and vigorous.
- Water Changes: Change water as frequently as possible when recreating the rainy seasons and this is the most important lesson I’ve learned. This is because changes in the weather patterns often stimulate spawning.
Raising Fry
If spawning is successful, fry need gentle care:
- Separate Tank: Transfer eggs or fry in a separate tank so that they will not be eaten by grown ones.
- To Feed Fry: Feed them with finest powdered flakes or specialized fry food to nourish them properly to eat normal food when they reach a particular size.
Mine’s remains hidden most of the time and I found her very much hardy and low maintenance.
Tips for Success
Research and Preparation: It is necessary to prepare when you decide to bring home Striped Raphael Catfish.
Their Needs: Care shall be taken to understand their requirements. This includes the tank setup, the diet followed, the correct temperature, and what other sorts of fishes can live with this Striped Raphael Catfish.
Plan the Tank: Proper tank size and setup to accommodate their needs.
Patience and Observation
The bottom line associated with success in Striped Raphael Catfish care is basic patience and dedicated observation toward these bottom-dwelling fishes.
- Observe Behavior: Make certain you check your catfish regularly for stress or disease behavior.
- Adapt as Needed: Any time the catfish displays any behavior changes, or health changes be prepared to adapt their environment or care. Have Fun It is fun to keep Striped Raphael Catfish for the following-ever changing reasons: Interaction: Make an attempt to interact with catfish while feeding.
- Respect their unique characteristics and behaviors; enjoy the fascinating world of Striped Raphael Catfish keeping.
A really odd but somehow striking looking fish, the Striped Raphael Catfish is sure to add just that little bit of nice touch to any tank. Knowledge of their natural habitat and proper care will definitely help one take care of their Striped Raphael Catfish; more so if an exciting fish tank setting is established. The Striped Raphael Catfish is a peaceful, hardy species that will surely be an eye-catcher and satisfying addition as any live-keeping pet for novice and experienced aquarists alike.
Final Thoughts
Striped Raphael Catfish are a great addition to fish tanks, adding a different and interesting flair to fish keepers. Their striking stripes, coupled with their liking for low maintenance and peaceful behavior, present ideal conditions for an array of tank setups. These amazing catfish will bring a touch of the Amazonic experience into your home aquarium, giving you a great experience to both experienced keepers and beginners, providing endless enjoyment and fascination.
