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I was in petsmart the other day buying a peacock eel when i saw a whole bunch of rafeals for 5 bucks a piece are they worth it, they look pretty cool though

I have one that has been in my tank since april and will not see it for weeks.They hide in the day and come out at night.It is said that as they get older they stay out more often.So if you don't mind this,they are a great fish,good manners ect.Mine is the spotted type.Good price for it to.cjp.

Regardless of the cost they are worth it only if you want them and you can look after them correctly, meaning tank size, feeding, & compatibility with others in your tank.


Keith

Last edited by keithgh at 04-Oct-2005 03:56

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I have two striped ones and contrary to most people's experiences, mine stay out all day/night and eat like little pigs. They fight each other once in a while, compete for food, and are tough with the cichlids in the tank.

I am however, assuming that the reason they are so active is that I have not yet fitted lights on top of my aquarium.

I think mine are quite worth the money, given the fact that the cichlids wldnt let any other scavenger live.

i read that they have a poison barb near there dorsal, so handle with care.

a poison barb or ray in the fin? I have never heard of that! We have 2 spotted cats, and they got buried by our parrots digging gravel and spitting it out, we didnt realize it until a few days later, but hey they survived!

72 gallon bowfront:Tanganyikan Lake set up
75 gallon: A. Baenschi trio,Cyanotilapia Afra Cobwe(4), copadichromis trewavase, protomelas sp. tangerine tiger(breeding pair)

aquarium fishes of the world by atsushi sakurai, yohei sakamoto, and fumitoshi mori page 251 letter:H

"Striped Raphael catfish: over 6 in, it remains hidden behind stones or among floating wood during day time. If handled without care, the mild toxin which can be injected by the pine on the inner side of the pectoral fins, can be harmful. it also produces a talking sound by rubbing these pectoral fins."

Well worth it, mine were an awesome addition to the tank. (Closer to 9 inches though on that size.)

Empty chairs at empty tables, the room silent, forlorn.

Raphael Catfishes are like many other members of the same Family (Doradidae) - they're tough, armoured battle tanks that can live alongside psychotic berserker Cichlids such as Festaes without coming to grief. But then, given the armour that these fishes possess, it's hardly surprising

Many of them will remain resolutely hidden during the daytime while being acclimatised to a new aquarium. The trick is to feed immediately after 'lights out', and provide them with a variety of fare including live foods for them to eat. Once they start to associate an aquarist's movements about the tank with food, they'll gradually become bolder and appear during the daytime. If the aquarfium has good shaded areas affording cover while allowing the occupants to be seen (i.e., strategically positioned caves or bogwood arches) then they'll adapt even more quickly and feel secure. Once they feel secure, and have a decent number of hiding places to call their own, they become surprisingly showy.

However, keep an eye on them in the company of small fishes. Raphaels don't have a bad reputation in this regard, but put sufficient temptation before any fish, and even a well-mannered one will eventually say 'oh look, lunch with a difference' and snack on something you don't want it to.

Having said that, they're probably a good deal less likely to eat aquarium companions that the likes of Pimelodids. Make sure the Raphaels have full bellies, and all should be well.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

My dad kept a 6 in. up until about 6 months ago when he had a bad case of something. Killed half of his tank. The raphael was a striped one and 16 years old(yep, as old as me). It had survived all the other sicknesses before that one. I think it was just too old and could not fight it off as good anymore. It would probably still be living today. It never came out during the day. It would sleep in this halowed out piece of would upside down vertically.