Striped Raphael Catfish care guide
Striped Raphael Catfish (Platydoras armatulus) — minimum tank 200 L, temperature 22-28 °C, pH 5.5-7.5.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Striped Raphael Catfish (Platydoras armatulus) is a robust, armoured doradid from the Amazon basin. The body is marked with thick longitudinal black-and-white stripes and rows of bony scutes along the flanks. The fish can produce audible stridulation sounds when handled.
Taxonomy
- Family: Doradidae
- Genus: Platydoras
- Scientific name: Platydoras armatulus
- Common synonyms: Chocolate Doradid, Humbug Catfish
Habitat
Native to slow-moving rivers, flooded forests and tributaries of the Amazon basin in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia, in habitats with submerged wood and leaf litter.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L (52.8 US gal)
- Adult size: 15-24 cm
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.5
- GH: 4-18 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 15-20 years
Diet
A nocturnal omnivore. Offer sinking pellets, granules and a variety of live or frozen foods (bloodworms, earthworms, small shrimp).
Compatibility
A peaceful but predatory species toward fish small enough to swallow. Keep with similarly sized peaceful tankmates in a tank of at least 200 L with caves and driftwood. Avoid pairing with very small fish or shrimp.
Breeding
Captive breeding is rare and not well documented for the species.
Breeding the Striped Raphael Catfish
Overview
Platydoras armatulus is a heavily armored doradid catfish that reaches a maximum standard length of around 24 cm, though most captive specimens stay near 15 cm. It is nocturnal and unaggressive. According to Seriously Fish, there are no reports of this species being bred in the aquarium hobby.
Sexing
Reliable methods to distinguish males from females are not documented. Seriously Fish lists sexual dimorphism for this species as unknown, which is one reason controlled pairing in captivity is not practical for hobbyists.
Reproduction in the wild
Detailed wild breeding behavior is poorly recorded. Seriously Fish notes only that, apparently, in nature the species spawns amongst surface vegetation. No confirmed account of its full reproductive cycle is available.
Common Challenges
The combination of undocumented sexing, large adult size, secretive nocturnal habits, and the absence of any successful hobby spawning means home breeding is not realistic. Specimens offered in the trade are wild-caught or produced on commercial farms; private aquarium reproduction is not established.