Striped Raphael Catfish
Platydoras armatulus
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 24 cm
- Minimum tank
- 108 litres
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C
Species profile
Spotted Hoplo Catfish
Megalechis thoracata
Common names: Spotted Hoplo Catfish, Hoplo Catfish
Recognized speciesCatfish
Adult size
Up to 15 cm
Up to 15 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A peaceful community tank with similar-sized fish
Think carefully if
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A hardy, armoured catfish from South America that gulps air at the surface. Keep alone or in a small group in 173 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A hardy, armoured catfish from South America that gulps air at the surface. Males build a floating bubble nest, which is unusual for a catfish. It is popular for its calm nature, and it grows to about 15 cm.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Sexes can be hard to tell apart, although females are often rounder.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 350–520 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 175–250 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 173 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 120 cm
- Minimum group size
- 1
- Recommended group size
- 1
- Activity level
- Low
- Flow preference
- Low
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Provide caves, wood and shade, because many catfish are active mostly at night.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Usually most active at dusk and after dark, and it hides during the day.
Social needs vary, so see the notes for this species.
Can defend a favourite hiding place.
Check adult size before choosing tankmates, because a catfish may eat anything that fits in its mouth at night. It is likely to eat shrimp.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Sinking pellets or wafersFeed after lights-out if faster fish take everything first.
- Frozen bloodworm and brine shrimpOffer several times a week.
- Blanched vegetablesCourgette or cucumber add variety for fish that graze.
Feed sinking foods, ideally after lights-out, so that it gets its share.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Bubble Nest
- Breeding difficulty
- Easy
- Parental care
- Bubble-nest care
- Baby foods
- InfusoriaNeeded for the first days, because most fry are very small.
- Newly hatched brine shrimpIntroduce as soon as the fry can take it.
A bubble nester. The male builds a floating nest among plants, spawns with the female beneath it, then guards the eggs and fry. Remove the female afterwards. Fry need tiny foods, and warm, humid air above the water.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, South America, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela
- Natural habitat
- River
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Megalechis
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Species group
- Catfish, Fish, Other Catfish
Have you kept this species?
You can write a note about what worked for you, or send a photograph. We check everything before it appears here.
Share a note or photo
Sun Catfish
Horabagrus brachysoma
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 45 cm
- Minimum tank
- 648 litres
- Temperature
- 23–25 °C
Tiger Shovelnose Catfish
Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 104 cm
- Minimum tank
- 10368 litres
- Temperature
- 22–26 °C
Upside Down Catfish
Synodontis nigriventris
- Care level
- Beginner
- Adult size
- 10 cm
- Minimum tank
- 70 litres
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C