Name: Platydoras costatus
Origin: Amazon
Size20 cm
Tank100 L
pH7.0
Temp25°C
The Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish has been a favorite of aquarium enthusiasts for a long time. They are very peaceful and thought to be the nicest of the Thorny Catfish!
Known commonly as the 'Talking' Catfish, as it has the ability to make clearly audible noises similar to a croak, especially when it has been caught. Lots of adjectives can be used to describe this fish, and most of them are positive: peaceful, hardy, charming, long-lived, amusing. The fish however, is nocturnal, and may be rarely seen. For this reason I would not recommend this fish for a beginner. Other than that, there are few caveats, the only other one being 'do not place this fish with other fish that are small enough to fit in its mouth', as you may find your neons or whatever being quietly swallowed in the night. Fairly tolerant of different water conditions, although it prefers slighty soft, acid water. Provide fine gravel that it can bury itself in, and plenty of hiding places under rocks and roots. Grows to approximately 5"/12cm in an aquarium, and two fish can easily be housed in a tank 36" long. Because of the serrated dorsal and pectoral fins and thorny body, do not use a net to catch this fish, as it will become hopelessly entangled. A glass or plastic container should be used instead. Omnivorous; feed sinking pellets, earthworms, or shrimp/brine shrimp after turning out the light in the evening.
These are a fun fish to watch as they have a curious nature. Even though the Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish are nocturnal, once they are comfortable in their environment they will often spend many daytime hours exploring the aquarium.
They like to burrow in the soft river bottom so be sure to provide a corner of fine gravel or sand. They also like some plant cover and hiding places like the hollows of roots. The Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish will not harm plants, though some of the smaller leaved plants may get a dusting when this catfish burrows into the sand.
It is best to catch the Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish with a glass rather than a net as they are prone to sticking out their side spines in a very rigid manner when they are stressed. They can easily get caught in a net. Not only is it difficult on both the fish and you when you try to get them untangled, it is also a bit dangerous. A prick from the spines of this fish is quite painful!
A curious fact about the Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish is that it also has tiny curved spines running along its body to protect it!
Breeding:
Not reported in the aquarium.
Feeding:
Easy to feed on frozen food such as bloodworm, tablet food where I find the Tetra variety to be a favourite, and pellet foods. In youngsters it is better to feed at night after lights out, the older they get they will get bolder and come out at feeding time.
Care and feeding:
Since they are carnivores, the Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish need protein foods. They will eat live foods such as bloodworms, earthworms, and tubifex. They are bottom feeders, and may also eat frozen foods as well as flakes or tablets that have sunk to the bottom. Fresh algae, zucchini and spinach. Prefers small live foods such as brine shrimp, blood worms, glass worms and tubifex worms. Frozen brine shrimp, plankton, beef heart, glass worms and blood worms. Freeze dried, pellet and tablet food will be accepted on occasion.
Distribution:
The Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish are found in the middle Amazon region.
South America: Rio Amazonas, Rio Tocantins, Rio Parnaíba, Rio Orinoco, Essequibo River basins and coastal drainages in French Guiana and Suriname.
Tema: Platydoras costatus breeding (Posjeta: 1912 vremena)