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 cream stripes. Spiny fins lock open — can puncture hands or a predator's mouth. Nocturnal; hides during the day.

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