Platydoras costatus

Common Names:

Chocolate Catfish
Humbug Catfish
Striped Raphael Catfish
Striped talking catfish

Synonyms:

Silurus costatus

Family:

Doradidae

Category:

Catfish_Bottom_Feeders

Distribution:

America - South; Amazon River in Brazil.

Main Ecosystem:

River; River

Temperament:

Peaceful; This is an extremely nocturnal catfish that will hide during the day. however size seems to bring more confidence and bigger fish will probably be more visible during the day. It is peaceful to other species of fish, but very territorial towards its own. May eat very small fish.

Diet:

Ominvore; Ominvore

Care:

Will eat almost anything, but worms and chunky meat-based foods are preferred. A heavily planted aquarium with many hiding places is needed, preferably with sand as a substrate as this species likes to borrow. Water parameters not critical, but temperature should be high.

pH:

6 - 8

Temperature:

26°C - 29°C

79°F - 84°F

Hardness:

4 dH - 20 dH

Potential Size:

Male: 24cm (9.4")
Female: 24cm (9.4")

Water Region:

Bottom; Bottom

Activity:

Nocturnal; Nocturnal

Gender:

Females are slightly larger than males when full grown.

Breeding:

Not accomplished in home aquaria. All specimens are wild-caught.

Variants:

Comments:

When captured, this species makes a raspy grunting sound and extends its large dorsal and pectoral spines. These spines, which can inject a mild venom if handled carelessly, may become entangled in a net, so it is best to use other means of catching them.

Main Colours:

Brown, White

Markings:

Striped Horizontal

Mouth:

Downturned

Tail:

Concave

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Contributors:

sora

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