Animal-World > Freshwater Fish > Catfish > Striped Raphael Catfish

Striped Raphael CatfishChocolate Catfish ~ Thorny Catfish

Family: Doradidae

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Platydoras costatus

     The Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish has been a favorite of aquarium enthusiasts for a long time. They are very peaceful and thought to be the nicest of the Thorny Catfish!

     These are a fun fish to watch as they have a curious nature. Even though the Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish are nocturnal, once they are comfortable in their environment they will often spend many daytime hours exploring the aquarium.

     They like to burrow in the soft river bottom so be sure to provide a corner of fine gravel or sand. They also like some plant cover and hiding places like the hollows of roots. The Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish will not harm plants, though some of the smaller leaved plants may get a dusting when this catfish burrows into the sand.

     It is best to catch the Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish with a glass rather than a net as they are prone to sticking out their side spines in a very rigid manner when they are stressed. They can easily get caught in a net. Not only is it difficult on both the fish and you when you try to get them untangled, it is also a bit dangerous. A prick from the spines of this fish is quite painful!

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Care and feeding:      Since they are carnivores, the Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish need protein foods. They will eat live foods such as bloodworms, earthworms, and tubifex. They are bottom feeders, and may also eat frozen foods as well as flakes or tablets that have sunk to the bottom.

Distribution:      The Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish are found in the middle Amazon region.

Size - Weight:      They will grow to 8 1/2 inches (22 cm).

Social Behaviors:      The Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish are a good community fish. They are friendy with other community tankmates.

Sexual Differences:      Not known.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:      These fish will swim in the bottom of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:      Hardness: 2-20 ° dGH
     Ph: 5.8 to 7.0
     Temp: 26-28 ° C

Breeding/Reproduction:      The Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish have not reportably been bred in captivity so far.

Availability:      The Striped Raphael Catfish or Chocolate Catfish is readily available.

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Latest Comments
One suggestion to keep with these if your looking to stay in the amazon region is cichlids, like oscars and jack dempseys, which is what I have in my tank. They don't bother each other and they just go about their business. Tyler 2010-01-02
I got my striped catfish in '93 or '94, and he's thriving, still! He's very active at all times of the day and night. I want to get some tankmates for him, any suggestions? I want to stay in the amazon-region. michelle 2009-12-31
I bought my Striped Raphael Catfish in November of 1991 and it is still living! Dave 2009-12-29
I have one striped catfish in my 29g tank and I love him to death too. He is so ugly! So big paunch! I love it! This paunch. I can see my catfish only one time when he take food. Another catfish Spotted Pimelodus. He had grown to 4 inches during 3 months... and stopped :-( it seems to me it's max size. He has huge paunch too! I like it! Alex 2009-09-26
I have one striped catfish in my 10g tank and I love him to death. I have had him for about a month now and he seems to be doing pretty well. I have noticed he only comes out at night when I throw in the food right before I go to bed. Along with him I have 3 zebra danios (1 glolight), a bamboo shrimp, 1 rainbow shark, a banjo cat, a clown pleco, and a red marble bushy nose pleco. I find it rather funny because as soon as I threw him in he went straight for the ship. He has gotten along great with all of the fish especially the shark. They seem to share the ship that I have in there, which I find rather awesome. He has not harmed any other fish in the tank which enlightens me. I can't wait to get my bigger tank, hoping a 55g, so I can purchase another one. These fish are truly awesome and I thank everyone for their input on these awesome fish! Bryan 2009-05-31
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I just read that these catfish have never been bred in captivity? I was given a pair of them a few weeks ago and lo and behold, there are now 3 Striped Raphael Catfish! The little one hides itself in 2 spots in my tank and I have only seen it's face once. Has this happened for anyone else? Pat Ryan 2009-11-12
I have had one of these guys nearly a year now. He's living with two Oscars, a 14 inch silver arowana and some others, and they get along great! I researched this guy when I got him and heard loads of reports of people not seeing their guy for months, or coming out only in the dark, or even appearing dead! But my guy must be the exception to the rule, he's constantly out in the open even though he has ton's of caves and hideouts. He likes the company of other fish and seems to enjoy the company of a huge albino african clawed frog I have in particular! As far as foods concerned, this fish is an underwater hoover! Be careful not to overfeed, and be sure to give them a day off the food weekly, or you'll see him getting very fat indeed! Mine is about 6 inches now and growing fast! Anything you put into the tank that gets near the bottom will be eaten, but a variety of high quality protein foods is the way to go if you want him to thrive. I love this fish, so much so I got another three for company for my guy today! You may or may not see this guy very often, but it's definitely worth it when you do :) Greg Dorney 2009-09-07
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After seeing all the comments on this cat I needed to add my experience. I also experienced the small fish vanishing along with smaller cats. They would make it until the lights out, then gone. I have had my cat for about 12 years now. He had a habit of getting stuck in a rock and not moving for years at a time. During a move once, I lifted the rock with the cat in it and when he hit open air he barked like a frog...LOUD. Now I know any time he hits the air he yells out. I introduced a 7" ghost fish 6 years ago. At first I thought they were at odds, but I soon realized it was true love. The ghost would bring shrimp pellets to the cat to eat so he would not need to leave his hole. Sometimes I must try to shake him out to be sure he does not grow to become stuck in there. JHSAILS 2007-01-06
thanks for the info from all who have posted. I have recently bought my chocolate catfish and thought that it was poorly because of its bizarre patterns. There have been a number of times I thought it was dead! I worried that it didn`t seem to eat too well but you have allied my fears. I hope mine will last as long as some of the stories ive read chris howard 2005-01-27

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