Species Profile

Striped Raphael Catfish

Platydoras armatulus

Catfishpeaceful

Adult size

8″

Minimum tank

55 gal

Temperature

75–86°F

6–8

Schooling

Solitary OK

Water level

bottom

Grows from juvenile

Typically sold at ~2.5″ and reaches 8″ over ~2 years. Plan tank size for the adult, not the fish at purchase.

Diet

Sinking pellets, frozen, live

Notes

Dark body with crisp cream lateral stripes. Spiny pectoral fins lock open and can puncture hands during transfer or a predator's mouth, handle gently with a deep net (no bare hands). Nocturnal, hides during the day.

Build a tank →Photo credits

Photo: Piotr Kuczynski / Wikimedia Commons · Source · CC-BY-SA-3.0