Sun Catfish
Horabagrus brachysoma
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 45 cm
- Minimum tank
- 648 litres
- Temperature
- 23–25 °C
Species profile
Striped Raphael Catfish
Platydoras armatulus
Common names: Striped Raphael Catfish, Talking Catfish, Southern Striped Raphael
Recognized speciesCatfish
Adult size
Up to 24 cm
Up to 24 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A keeper who has researched this fish and can match its needs
Think carefully if
- You keep smaller fish, which it may eat
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A popular striped catfish, black and cream from nose to tail, also sold as the Striped Raphael or Talking Catfish. Keep alone or in a small group in 108 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A popular striped catfish, black and cream from nose to tail, also sold as the Striped Raphael or Talking Catfish. It is very hardy but secretive, grows to about 24 cm and eats small fish at night.
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 220–320 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 100–150 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 108 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 difficulty
- Not commonly bred
- Parental care
- Unknown
Not commonly bred in aquariums, and little has been recorded about how it spawns.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, South America, Uruguay
- Natural habitat
- Swamp
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Platydoras
- Family
- Doradidae
- Species group
- Catfish, Fish, Other Catfish
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- Care level
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- Adult size
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- Minimum tank
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- Temperature
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- Minimum tank
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- Temperature
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- Adult size
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- Minimum tank
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- Temperature
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