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Spotted Raphael Catfish

Talking Catfish ~ Thorny Catfish Family: Doradidae

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Agamyxis pectinifrons Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Spotted Raphael Catfish is also called the "Talking Catfish". This is because it seems to 'talk' when you take it out of the aquarium! (Actually it 'croaks' or 'clicks' faintly when it 'talks'.)

   This fish is peaceful and does well in a community aquarium. Being nocturnal, the Spotted Raphael Catfish or Talking Catfish is a bit shy and will look for a nice comfortable hiding place during the day.  

 The Spotted Raphael Catfish, like the Striped Raphael, likes to burrow in the soft river bottom so provide a corner of fine gravel or sand. They also like some plant cover and hiding places like the hollows of roots. They will not harm plants.

   It is best to catch the Spotted Raphael Catfish or Talking 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

Note: There are a couple other catfish that are also listed as "Talking Catfish". One is the Spiny Catfish, Acanthodoras spinosissimus. Unlike the Spotted Raphael Catfish, the Spiny Catfish is not suitable for a community aquarium as it will eat smaller fish! Another is the Painted Talking Catfish, Acanthodoras cataphrectus, which is a very peaceful fish and does well in a community aquarium. The Painted Talking Catfish is very pretty with an almost paisley type design in it's patterning.

Distribution:
   The Spotted Raphael Catfish or Talking Catfish are found in Pebas, Ecuador; eastern Peru.

Size - Weight:
   They will grow to 6.0 inches (15 cm).

Social Behaviors:
   They are a good community fish and are friendly with other community tank mates.

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 7.5
   Temp: 20-26° C (68-79° F)

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The Spotted Raphael Catfish or Talking Catfish have not reportedly been bred in captivity so far.

Availability:
   The Spotted Raphael Catfish or Talking Catfish is readily available.

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Latest Comments
I had a similar experience as Freddie - My husband and I were moving and I cleaned out the fish tank and put all of my fish into a huge tote to transport them to our new house. I had a pyramid in my tank at the time and I forgot about my spotted (I never saw him eat EVER and I would only see him if i had the tank light off - he would come out of hiding.) I put all of my decorations into a garbage bag and my grandparents drve everything to my new house in their van. I started setting up the tank and had it filled aobut half way and I was cleaning off the plants a bit. I moved my plants and in the bottom of the bag was my spotted! I panicked a little bit but he had enough water in the bottom of the bag he survived and is at his 3rd home now! (I moved across the country and had to leave my fish with my parents) LOL! It was a crazy story I had to share! Candy 2009-06-05
I've had my spotted for about 4 years and this guy is a real soldier. Only thing I don't like about him is the only time I see him is when I syphon gravel and have to remove the fake hollow rock he hides in. One time when I moved I took the decor out and left it at the old house forgeting he was in their, well about 6 hours later I went back to the old house to grab the rest of my stuff and heard him croaking and wiggling around in the decoration. Brought him to the new house and put him back in the tank, he swam around as if nothing ever happened. No ick, nothing, and that was about 2 years ago. Freddie Picciano 2008-12-21
I have had my Striped for about 8 or 9 months. I found the best way for them to come out is to use a black light. I will usually turn it on as soon as the sun goes down. About an hour or two later he will start swimming around the tank. I just bought a Spotted (my second one) and I can seem to keep them alive longer than a month. bernard 2008-01-16
I've kept both spotted and striped varieties of raphaels for years. They are a hardy fish, can tolerate a lot of abuse and poor water conditions. I'll add, that they are a generally peaceful community fish, but they are opportunistic and will eat small fish like neons and guppy feeders. Dan 2008-01-04
I have had my spotted for 12 years...his nickname is the warrior because he has lasted through 4 different aquariums and outlasted dozens of fish. He has had most of his fins and tail pecked off but he still keeps on kicking. My spotted likes to hang out by the filter tube in this new tank. I didn't see him for years because he hid in a fake cave prior to that. Over the years I have suspected him of eating my fish but I can't prove it. VERY hearty fish. Be prepared for a long term commitment. Tracy 2007-12-23
Some of the coolest comments:
We have had our spotted 8 years, and has survived two tanks, and three moves. He is truly a survivor, outlasting eight other fish in the house. He probably ate a few baby guppies and a few other tank mates along the way, but also had a few nips out of his fins taken as well. We do see him in the evenings, even when the lights are on. He seems to not mind the family room lights at all. Most of the larger objects in the tank are no match to his nightly search and eat missions. The filter tube is always off the glass, the plastic plants are never in the same spot and our little diver is lucky to be standing up. Tank is RARELY maintained and he doesn't seem to mind. Very hardy dude. gb 2009-06-28
The spotted raphael is quite nocturnal and likes to be left alone. He greatly voices this if you pick him up or net him for transport by raking armor plating along his underarm along the side of his body. Be careful when handling a raphael as they don't like the company quite the same as a banjo catfish. If they thrash in your hand they can hurt you via the points on their body armor or with use of the long...really long spike under each arm. The raphael can cram its body into seemingly impossibly small spaces. Once they're in place they puff up their large round belly to fill up the voids in the cavity. All a predator sees is a spotted black wall of spikes. This can also make it difficult to get them moved into a new tank. They will remain wedged in their spot even when pulled from the water so be careful when cleaning your tanks/caves/plastic-decor. Other than that...just about the coolest looking fish out there. I'll be investing in a moonlight fixture so I can see him more often. Finally, since the group move from a few 10 ga.s and a 20 ga. into a 55 ga. I've lost two fish to mysterious attack. A marthae marbled hatchet (belly ripped out) and a rummynose (decapitated). These appear to be ambush attacks. I'm still working on the appropriate volume of food for this new 55 ga. so whomsoever (probably Raph) killed them did so out of hunger. Just keep them well fed and make sure they get their own food by feeding a little extra after the lights go out. K. Kowal (Kama Lethar) 2007-08-24

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Author: David Brough. CFS.