The Striped Raphael Catfish (Platydoras armmatulus)
The black and white coloration of the Striped Raphael Catfish Platydoras armatuluseasily makes this species one of the most attractive catfishes in all of South America. It belongs to a group known as the Talking Catfishes, which are capable of making a peculiar squeaky noise by rubbing their pectoral fin against its socket; you’ll hear this if you ever attempt to restrain one in a hand or net. But be sure to never use an aquarium net to catch this fish—this group is also known as the Thorny Catfishes for good reason, the many spines covering the body and fins inevitably snag in netting, making them almost impossible to safely remove. Instead, use a plastic container to corral your fish.
Unlike some of the tankbusting giants in this group, which can reach nearly four feet long in certain species, the Striped Raphael tends to max out around just six inches, though specimens above nine inches have been reported. This means that many smaller fishes (tetras, barbs, etc) will be on the menu, but anything too big to swallow should fare just fine.
In the wild, you can find P. armatulus almost everywhere in tropical South America, from the Orinoco and Amazon Rivers to further south in Brazil, but they prefer habitats with slower water movement, such as creeks and swamps. They are noted to occasionally act as cleaner fishes for other species, such as wolfishes, though this behavior is uncommon in captivity.
Like many catfishes, this species is primarily nocturnal, spending its days hiding under rocks, leaves and fallen branches in the wild, so be sure to include something large enough for your Striped Raphael to crawl under. While you won’t see much of it during the day, it’ll often dart about once the lights go out and will usually put in an appearance when the tank is fed. This species isn’t picky when it comes to diet, as almost anything offered will find itself quickly consumed. Be careful not to overfeed, though, as obese specimens with heavily extended bellies are not uncommon. Just as in our own species, obesity is detrimental to a fish’s longterm health.
Aquarium specimens can be kept in groups, which will often hang out together in the same hiding place. Breeding is uncommon in smaller fish tanks, but this fish is aquacultured on a large scale, making it an affordable option for those looking to add a little black and white to their aquatic menagerie.