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	raphael spotted catfish, is it compatible with an oscar?
rocker23 Hobbyist Posts: 105 Kudos: 70 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Jun-2005	i need help=P. I am not sure if a raphael spotted catfish is compatible with an oscar, but i have seen people that have them on the same tank together without any problems but i want to make sure.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
bettachris Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3875 Kudos: 4173 Votes: 452 Registered: 13-Jun-2004	size, of fish and tank?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
rocker23 Hobbyist Posts: 105 Kudos: 70 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Jun-2005	40 gallons
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
bettachris Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3875 Kudos: 4173 Votes: 452 Registered: 13-Jun-2004	and the size of the oscar, and cat. even though it wont work anyway, b/c 40 is to small for the oscar.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
angeleel Fish Addict Posts: 561 Kudos: 472 Votes: 61 Registered: 08-Feb-2005	I have an 80 gallon with one oscar would one work in there?? Angel EEl
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
Calilasseia Ultimate Fish Guru Panda Funster Posts: 5496 Kudos: 2828 Votes: 731 Registered: 10-Feb-2003	Oscars get big. Some can hit 14 inches if they have space to grow and lots of good quality food. I'd be looking at 150 gallons as a baseline for Oscars. 80 will be OK for a while, but that big boy will need bigger quarters eventually. Raphael Cats will live with even mean bad tempered Cichlids like Green Terrors and Jaguars. Reason? They're armoured so heavily (and their armour is covered with spines to boot) that like most Doradids (the Raphaels are members of the Doradidae, about which I've written quite a few words) they'll be able to withstand the attentions of big bad tempered fish with ease. In fact, it's something of a joke among Doradid fans that many of their catfishes can withstand incoming mortar rounds, let alone a Cichlid throwing a hissy fit Not only that, but Doradids have very powerful pectoral fins, with a leading fin ray that is heavily armoured and coated with spines (in some cases, three serrated rows!!!). These armoured and spined pectorals are designed to grasp attackers and catch flesh between the fins and the spines on the body. With some Doradids, the effect of having your fingers caught in this defensive trap is akin to sweeping your hand briskly and carelessly through razor wire. Since Oscars live with Doradids in the wild, they'll probably be aware that your average Raphael is well able to look after itself if attacked. The spines will act as a visual deterrent alone to an intelligent Cichlid, and only a complete berserker of a fish would try attacking a Raphael or other Doradid with the armour and spine protection they boast. Even more fun, try keeping bigger Doradids alongside Cichlids, and see the Cichlids pay the Doradids a LOT of respect. Think of your average Doradid as an underwater main battle tank and you won't go far wrong. Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
Cup_of_Lifenoodles Fish Guru Posts: 2755 Kudos: 1957 Votes: 30 Registered: 09-Sep-2004	Case in point: p. niger. Back on topic: yes, the striped talker will be fine.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57


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