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Spotted Raphael CatfishTalking Catfish ~ Thorny CatfishFamily: Doradidae Agamyxis pectinifronsPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David BroughLatest Reader Comment - See More 14 years ago, thinking my talking catfish was dead, I drained my aquarium and for one whole year this fish lived in the gravel without food or water until I heard... (more) Fran 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'.)Spotted Raphael Catfish Contents 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! 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.For more Information on keeping this fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Spotted Raphael Catfish or Talking Catfish are found in Pebas, Ecuador; eastern Peru.
- Scientific Name: Agamyxis pectinifrons
- Social Grouping: Groups
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed
One of the common names of the Spotted Raphael Catfish is 'Talking Catfish' because it makes clicking noises when you take it out of the aquarium! It is a peaceful species and does well in community aquariums. Because they are nocturnal, the Spotted Raphael Catfish may seem shy and will spend most of its time hiding in the substrate, driftwood, or caves during the day. I the wild, they burrow into the river bottom and so should be provided a sandy bottom with plenty of wood or rockwork. A well planted aquarium to provide cover is also appreciated. This is one of the catfish that have sharp spines not only on the dorsal fins but on the pectoral fins as well. It is better to capture them in a glass or plastic container for transport.
- Maximum Size: 6.0 inches (15.24 cm)
- Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Difficult
- Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
Since they are carnivores, the Spotted Raphael Catfish or Talking 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.
- Diet Type: Carnivore - The Spotted Raphael Catfish is known to eat snails and can be employed to clean up snail overpopulation given that the afflicted aquarium's conditions are suitable for this fish.
- Flake Food: No
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
- Meaty Food: All of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Daily - This fish is nocturnal and prefers to be fed right before or after lights out in the aquarium.
- Water Changes: Bi-weekly
- Minimum Tank Size: 35 gal (132 L)
- Substrate Type: Sand - Sand or fine gravel that will allow this fish to burrow.
- Lighting Needs: Low - subdued lighting
- Temperature: 68.0 - 79.0° F (20.0 - 26.1° C)
- Range ph: 5.8-7.5
- Hardness Range: 2 - 20 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Weak
- Water Region: Bottom
They are a good community fish and are friendly with other community tank mates.
- Venomous: No - Although not venomous, the Spotted Raphael Catfish is armed with a set of spines sharp enough to do damage to the aquarists hand.
- Temperament: Peaceful - This fish prefers to be kept in the company of its own kind.
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Safe
- Semi-Aggressive (): Safe
- Aggressive (): Monitor
- Large Semi-Aggressive (): Monitor - Can usually be kept with semi-aggressive and even aggressive fish such as cichlids.
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Threat - is aggressive - The Raphael Catfish are sometimes used to rid an aquarium of snails.
- Plants: Safe
Not known.
The Spotted Raphael Catfish or Talking Catfish have not reportedly been bred in captivity so far.
- Ease of Breeding: Unknown
The Spotted Raphael Catfish or Talking Catfish is readily available.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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