Platydoras armatulus • Doradidae • Cat-eLog

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Platydoras armatulus** (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1840)
Common Name(s)	Humbug Catfish, Striped Raphael Catfish, Striped Talking Catfish
Type Locality	Río Paraná, but not below 27°30'S, South America.
Synonym(s)	Doras armatulus
Pronunciation	pla tee doh russ - are mat you luss
Etymology	Platydoras: From the Greek platys, meaning flat, and doras, meaning skin (also a word commonly used in forming generic names for doradids); in reference to the depressed head.
Species Information
Size	200mm (7.9") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	This species has been misidentified as Platydoras costatus for decades, only in late 2008 was it recognised as P. armatulus. Orinocodoras eigenmanni can sometimes be offered for sale labeled as a Striped Raphael Cat or suchlike. This contaminant is most easily distinguished by its longer, more elongate snout and longer adipose fin. The contrasting white stripes on Platydoras armatulus are also considerably brighter, particularly on youngsters.
Sexing	Adult females are wider when viewed from above.
General Remarks	Talking catfishes get their common name from noises they make, mostly at night, by grinding their pectoral fin bone in its "socket". Click here to listen to this species.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Widespread in South America being found in both Amazon and Orinoco basins. La Plata, Paraná (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Lower Amazon, Tocantins (click on these areas to find other species found there) Piauí Rivers, Parnaíba (click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there) (Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution)
pH	6.0 - 7.5
Temperature	23.0-30.0°C or 73.4-86°F (Show others within this range)
Other Parameters	Slightly softer water is beneficial but not essential.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	All aquarium fish foods, sinking catfish tablets offer the best method of getting food to the fish. Bloodworm and high protein dry food are also favourites. Try delivering food at night.
Furniture	Caves or pipes are a requirement if this fish is to avoid long-term stress or the possibility of mistaking a heater for safe refuge.
Compatibility	An ideal community fish, peaceful but rugged.
Suggested Tankmates	Anything from tetras to cichlids, preferably South American, but will mix with all community fish.
Breeding	Fry have been found in the aquarium, however spawning behaviour was not observed and is therefore unknown.
Further Information
References	Hist. Nat. Poiss.v. 15 - pp275
Registered Keepers	(1) TP (k: 2), (2) synoguy (k: 4), (3) natefrog, (4) Iwona (k: 4), (5) Kostas, (6) Sktchy, (7) Persephone, (8) Daniel Machado, (9) Chrysichthys, (10) Lornek8, (11) deter00005, (12) ivokilli, (13) call_apple (k: 3), who also notes: "3rd fish picked up at fall fish auction.", (14) Sarajute, (15) gage, (16) oldfish, (17) husky_jim, (18) Occellatus, who also notes: "My striped Raphael did not eat for the first week after it was introduced into my tank. On the 7th day, it started eating like a glutton. Fed it Hikari Carnivore Pellets mainly at night.", (19) mikelouth, (20) Attu, (21) jenny, (22) FishGeek, (23) hatecrew24/7 (k: 4), who also notes: "got 4 of these", (24) cymrucat, who also notes: "He now has a coconut home with anubias on the top and was put on a it of a diet as these fish will eat themselves circular !", (25) Jackp1ne, (26) Armadillo Del Rio, (27) Cooky_luvs, (28) Igowoof, (29) Greer, (30) ranmasan, who also notes: "A little reticent, but definitely a pleasure to keep!", (31) Kagerou, (32) Kattes (k: 3), (33) daniel60 (k: 4), (34) Dawg57, (35) Belial, (36) k1ttyme0w (k: 2), (37) Bas Pels (k: 2), who also notes: "In December 2012 I discovered a dead fish - I had it for 23 Years. The other two still seem fine", (38) yogi69 (k: 3), (39) ali12345 (k: 3), (40) Benjamin, (41) LindsayB, (42) Plecofanatic1989, (43) nuth88 (k: 2), (44) Barracuda518 (k: 4), (45) orspearo666 (k: 3), who also notes: "very hardy. spawned once but eggs all eaten by other fish", (46) Freakdaddy, (47) NewFishKeeper, (48) mouseninja, (49) AK-Wolfman, (50) wheel1, (51) zenyfish, who also notes: "Very shy.", (52) Elric_Edward, (53) haxjester, (54) joepleco, (55) McDoes (p: 2), (56) SOBERKITTY, (57) gmer4life, who also notes: "its a pig it just wont stop eating.", (58) bitsygiggles, (59) Troender (k: 2), (60) myrheksa (p: 2, k: 9), (61) midnightrider, (62) CubCariboo, who also notes: "Name: "Sally" Very shy but will "Hide" in plain site so I can keep an eye on her(it) and is occasionally active under blue nightlight. Eats almost anything.", (63) Plunt, (64) griffl, (65) Ill (p: 2), (66) Lyssa, (67) coppernite (k: 5), (68) briggadane, (69) wardcorp, (70) jiapei, (71) miravns, (72) kubastanik, (73) aledk85, (74) AU Chief (p: 2), (75) pressureflip, (76) norfolkgarden, who also notes: "2 inches. neat fish. comes out often and one of the first to feed.", (77) iam1ru12, (78) zedogz, (79) koter73, (80) SoCalDiscus, (81) HeadHunter, (82) big_tank_boy, (83) gwa84, (84) fleahound (k: 2), (85) doesdavid, (86) Sandtiger, who also notes: "Deceased ", (87) Nick44 (k: 2), (88) smegforbrains (p: 2), (89) xander, (90) JimmyT, (91) Static, (92) Gopherboy (k: 2), (93) Sumners83 (p: 2), (94) chralis, (95) xxzeezeexx, (96) Phoxinus (k: 2), (97) ahodge84, (98) Tracey (k: 2), (99) thejudgement (k: 2), (100) LLLL, (101) Raz, (102) Reginator, (103) willis30, (104) NorthHawk, (105) darkhighlord, (106) crosfyter (p: 2), (107) fantonac (p: 3), (108) Altifrons, (109) OddOscar, who also notes: "It likes to hide.", (110) walshy317, (111) Cory_lover (k: 2), who also notes: "Bought 2 lovely juveniles, but they're in a 4ft tank with lots of bogwood, and since then, have rarely seen them - extremely nocturnal!", (112) wonderdognc, (113) Wiccatfish (k: 6), (114) Freddy (p: 2), (115) Hoyo12, (116) Argentum, (117) jippo, (118) b.price, (119) Shovelnose, (120) guppyman, (121) jprp (k: 2), (122) Martin S, (123) lnumbers63 (k: 2), who also notes: "As at 25/10/2009 have only recently acquired them. Saw these beautiful fish being caught in a book on catfish years ago and became interested in them. Have hardly seen them since I got them but they seem to be doing well. ", (124) tcarrier, (125) arcsb, (126) Andie6, (127) ayrtoninst (k: 133), (128) astinus, (129) stuart henson, (130) JamieH, (131) Back (k: 2), (132) pickles4601, (133) Serian, (134) Djthomas, (135) dpk2313, (136) nicki, (137) coelacanth, (138) markhinch, (139) judeblackburn, (140) diane, (141) steve_ansell1, (142) Mike C (p: 2, k: 6), (143) mattholmes320, (144) huskybz91, (145) ichtyophile (k: 2), (146) smitty (k: 2), who also notes: "5/17/2012- Measured 7 inches", (147) miles3, (148) bongthecgb, (149) Riv (k: 2), (150) knifegill, (151) d3n2 (k: 3), (152) electrophyste (k: 3), (153) Kenny Tay, who also notes: "Very cute when well fed and bloated with food. Never seen to stop eating at all even in the day. Grew from 1" to 5" in 7 mths!", (154) salvador60, (155) theviper06 (k: 2), who also notes: "Teeny & Tiny", (156) MichaelC95, (157) TheFishGuy (p: 2), (158) TRD, who also notes: "Got this of a friend about a year ago since it kept eating all other bottom dwelling fishes. Including his ancistrus.", (159) chubbikins (k: 2), (160) sawilson2003, (161) tspaceace68, (162) jnakers, (163) tijani, (164) guardianfyre, (165) rhibear, (166) robb harriston (k: 3), (167) djechoskittykat (p: 2), (168) Bernie, who also notes: "He is at least 15+ years old. Five inches long. I wonder how long they live?", (169) NC24 (k: 9), (170) tiffanyjayne, (171) Mezel (p: 2), (172) Brisch, (173) mulley (k: 2), (174) Beth, (175) chimp, (176) hankinswood, (177) MMK1996, (178) Shaun, (179) bund, (180) Quo, (181) tropicalfishlover, (182) arapaimag (k: 2), (183) crkinney (k: 2), (184) nerdoutlaw, (185) kp90, (186) maximus (k: 2), who also notes: "Feeding tetra bits , NLS Thera + A and Frozen Bloodworms", (187) linden09, (188) browny85, (189) TheInfamous, who also notes: "Not very active. Hides between stones flat on the substrate. Very peaceful.", (190) cdc069, (191) Seagirt (k: 2), who also notes: "These two get along well as long as each has their own separate place to go to.", (192) tropical (p: 2), (193) wendy333, (194) bigamefish, (195) Catfish freak, (196) banuisce, (197) Armoured-Heads, (198) vb75, (199) monsterfishkeeper, (200) Margie, (201) francistrus (k: 2), (202) Mcjlance, (203) transporter42, (204) jimlaroche83 (k: 2), (205) Blackguard, (206) raphael.catfish, (207) slimrs, (208) Anthonyck (k: 2), who also notes: "6/13: Very active during feeding, any time of day. Mingling well with tank mates, and already noticeably bigger in two weeks,", (209) SonoAngel (p: 2, k: 4), who also notes: "After 4 years in tank the female finally comming out in daylight. The male still very shy, mostly nocturnal.", (210) johnarmstrong, (211) Doras (k: 6), (212) shano6084, (213) FerocactusLatispinus, who also notes: "R.I.P. Ebenezer "Scrooge". The cutest of the cats. :(", (214) rcjkirk, (215) DGR1980, who also notes: "Not sure on background of this cat as it came with the tank", (216) Superfins, (217) turfboss, who also notes: "In tank with 15 Demasoni juvies and 1 Asian Algae Eater", (218) theguy40267, (219) syno-kev, (220) stealth77, (221) wirikwiri, (222) fahaka, (223) Iiriva, (224) Misiak (k: 3), (225) miguel mitchel, (226) shoegazer (k: 2), (227) linuxrulesusa (k: 2), (228) DKcincy, (229) Jass, (230) SirCastic, (231) the pleco guy (p: 3), (232) PlecosAndLoaches, (233) stephen.mabwa, (234) Kongstedt (k: 6), (235) keig0006 (k: 2), (236) MrDimmu, (237) Psy (k: 4), (238) MrsJP, (239) nattt33 (k: 2), (240) robertsindyrat, (241) slayer5590 (k: 3), (242) bullseyejoey4, (243) p44236, (244) summoner2183 (k: 2). Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.
Breeding Reports	None.
Articles	- CotM 1999 July
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Last Update	2009 Mar 30 11:23 (species record created: 2001 Apr 28 00:00)

Cat-eLog Data Sheet

Scientific Name

Platydoras armatulus (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1840)

Common Name(s)

Humbug Catfish, Striped Raphael Catfish, Striped Talking Catfish

Type Locality

Río Paraná, but not below 27°30'S, South America.

Synonym(s)

Doras armatulus

Pronunciation

pla tee doh russ - are mat you luss

Etymology

Platydoras: From the Greek platys, meaning flat, and doras, meaning skin (also a word commonly used in forming generic names for doradids); in reference to the depressed head.

Species Information

Size

200mm (7.9") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.

Identification

This species has been misidentified as Platydoras costatus for decades, only in late 2008 was it recognised as P. armatulus. Orinocodoras eigenmanni can sometimes be offered for sale labeled as a Striped Raphael Cat or suchlike. This contaminant is most easily distinguished by its longer, more elongate snout and longer adipose fin. The contrasting white stripes on Platydoras armatulus are also considerably brighter, particularly on youngsters.

Sexing

Adult females are wider when viewed from above.

General Remarks

Talking catfishes get their common name from noises they make, mostly at night, by grinding their pectoral fin bone in its "socket". Click here to listen to this species.

Habitat Information

Distribution

Widespread in South America being found in both Amazon and Orinoco basins.
La Plata, Paraná (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Lower Amazon, Tocantins (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Piauí Rivers, Parnaíba (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there)

(Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution)

6.0 - 7.5

Temperature

23.0-30.0°C or 73.4-86°F (Show others within this range)

Other Parameters

Slightly softer water is beneficial but not essential.

Husbandry Information

Feeding

All aquarium fish foods, sinking catfish tablets offer the best method of getting food to the fish. Bloodworm and high protein dry food are also favourites. Try delivering food at night.

Furniture

Caves or pipes are a requirement if this fish is to avoid long-term stress or the possibility of mistaking a heater for safe refuge.

Compatibility

An ideal community fish, peaceful but rugged.

Suggested Tankmates

Anything from tetras to cichlids, preferably South American, but will mix with all community fish.

Breeding

Fry have been found in the aquarium, however spawning behaviour was not observed and is therefore unknown.

Further Information

References

Hist. Nat. Poiss.v. 15 - pp275

Registered Keepers

(1) TP (k: 2), (2) synoguy (k: 4), (3) natefrog, (4) Iwona (k: 4), (5) Kostas, (6) Sktchy, (7) Persephone, (8) Daniel Machado, (9) Chrysichthys, (10) Lornek8, (11) deter00005, (12) ivokilli, (13) call_apple (k: 3), who also notes: "3rd fish picked up at fall fish auction.", (14) Sarajute, (15) gage, (16) oldfish, (17) husky_jim, (18) Occellatus, who also notes: "My striped Raphael did not eat for the first week after it was introduced into my tank. On the 7th day, it started eating like a glutton. Fed it Hikari Carnivore Pellets mainly at night.", (19) mikelouth, (20) Attu, (21) jenny, (22) FishGeek, (23) hatecrew24/7 (k: 4), who also notes: "got 4 of these", (24) cymrucat, who also notes: "He now has a coconut home with anubias on the top and was put on a it of a diet as these fish will eat themselves circular !", (25) Jackp1ne, (26) Armadillo Del Rio, (27) Cooky_luvs, (28) Igowoof, (29) Greer, (30) ranmasan, who also notes: "A little reticent, but definitely a pleasure to keep!", (31) Kagerou, (32) Kattes (k: 3), (33) daniel60 (k: 4), (34) Dawg57, (35) Belial, (36) k1ttyme0w (k: 2), (37) Bas Pels (k: 2), who also notes: "In December 2012 I discovered a dead fish - I had it for 23 Years. The other two still seem fine", (38) yogi69 (k: 3), (39) ali12345 (k: 3), (40) Benjamin, (41) LindsayB, (42) Plecofanatic1989, (43) nuth88 (k: 2), (44) Barracuda518 (k: 4), (45) orspearo666 (k: 3), who also notes: "very hardy. spawned once but eggs all eaten by other fish", (46) Freakdaddy, (47) NewFishKeeper, (48) mouseninja, (49) AK-Wolfman, (50) wheel1, (51) zenyfish, who also notes: "Very shy.", (52) Elric_Edward, (53) haxjester, (54) joepleco, (55) McDoes (p: 2), (56) SOBERKITTY, (57) gmer4life, who also notes: "its a pig it just wont stop eating.", (58) bitsygiggles, (59) Troender (k: 2), (60) myrheksa (p: 2, k: 9), (61) midnightrider, (62) CubCariboo, who also notes: "Name: "Sally" Very shy but will "Hide" in plain site so I can keep an eye on her(it) and is occasionally active under blue nightlight. Eats almost anything.", (63) Plunt, (64) griffl, (65) Ill (p: 2), (66) Lyssa, (67) coppernite (k: 5), (68) briggadane, (69) wardcorp, (70) jiapei, (71) miravns, (72) kubastanik, (73) aledk85, (74) AU Chief (p: 2), (75) pressureflip, (76) norfolkgarden, who also notes: "2 inches. neat fish. comes out often and one of the first to feed.", (77) iam1ru12, (78) zedogz, (79) koter73, (80) SoCalDiscus, (81) HeadHunter, (82) big_tank_boy, (83) gwa84, (84) fleahound (k: 2), (85) doesdavid, (86) Sandtiger, who also notes: "Deceased ", (87) Nick44 (k: 2), (88) smegforbrains (p: 2), (89) xander, (90) JimmyT, (91) Static, (92) Gopherboy (k: 2), (93) Sumners83 (p: 2), (94) chralis, (95) xxzeezeexx, (96) Phoxinus (k: 2), (97) ahodge84, (98) Tracey (k: 2), (99) thejudgement (k: 2), (100) LLLL, (101) Raz, (102) Reginator, (103) willis30, (104) NorthHawk, (105) darkhighlord, (106) crosfyter (p: 2), (107) fantonac (p: 3), (108) Altifrons, (109) OddOscar, who also notes: "It likes to hide.", (110) walshy317, (111) Cory_lover (k: 2), who also notes: "Bought 2 lovely juveniles, but they're in a 4ft tank with lots of bogwood, and since then, have rarely seen them - extremely nocturnal!", (112) wonderdognc, (113) Wiccatfish (k: 6), (114) Freddy (p: 2), (115) Hoyo12, (116) Argentum, (117) jippo, (118) b.price, (119) Shovelnose, (120) guppyman, (121) jprp (k: 2), (122) Martin S, (123) lnumbers63 (k: 2), who also notes: "As at 25/10/2009 have only recently acquired them. Saw these beautiful fish being caught in a book on catfish years ago and became interested in them. Have hardly seen them since I got them but they seem to be doing well. ", (124) tcarrier, (125) arcsb, (126) Andie6, (127) ayrtoninst (k: 133), (128) astinus, (129) stuart henson, (130) JamieH, (131) Back (k: 2), (132) pickles4601, (133) Serian, (134) Djthomas, (135) dpk2313, (136) nicki, (137) coelacanth, (138) markhinch, (139) judeblackburn, (140) diane, (141) steve_ansell1, (142) Mike C (p: 2, k: 6), (143) mattholmes320, (144) huskybz91, (145) ichtyophile (k: 2), (146) smitty (k: 2), who also notes: "5/17/2012- Measured 7 inches", (147) miles3, (148) bongthecgb, (149) Riv (k: 2), (150) knifegill, (151) d3n2 (k: 3), (152) electrophyste (k: 3), (153) Kenny Tay, who also notes: "Very cute when well fed and bloated with food. Never seen to stop eating at all even in the day. Grew from 1" to 5" in 7 mths!", (154) salvador60, (155) theviper06 (k: 2), who also notes: "Teeny & Tiny", (156) MichaelC95, (157) TheFishGuy (p: 2), (158) TRD, who also notes: "Got this of a friend about a year ago since it kept eating all other bottom dwelling fishes. Including his ancistrus.", (159) chubbikins (k: 2), (160) sawilson2003, (161) tspaceace68, (162) jnakers, (163) tijani, (164) guardianfyre, (165) rhibear, (166) robb harriston (k: 3), (167) djechoskittykat (p: 2), (168) Bernie, who also notes: "He is at least 15+ years old. Five inches long. I wonder how long they live?", (169) NC24 (k: 9), (170) tiffanyjayne, (171) Mezel (p: 2), (172) Brisch, (173) mulley (k: 2), (174) Beth, (175) chimp, (176) hankinswood, (177) MMK1996, (178) Shaun, (179) bund, (180) Quo, (181) tropicalfishlover, (182) arapaimag (k: 2), (183) crkinney (k: 2), (184) nerdoutlaw, (185) kp90, (186) maximus (k: 2), who also notes: "Feeding tetra bits , NLS Thera + A and Frozen Bloodworms", (187) linden09, (188) browny85, (189) TheInfamous, who also notes: "Not very active. Hides between stones flat on the substrate. Very peaceful.", (190) cdc069, (191) Seagirt (k: 2), who also notes: "These two get along well as long as each has their own separate place to go to.", (192) tropical (p: 2), (193) wendy333, (194) bigamefish, (195) Catfish freak, (196) banuisce, (197) Armoured-Heads, (198) vb75, (199) monsterfishkeeper, (200) Margie, (201) francistrus (k: 2), (202) Mcjlance, (203) transporter42, (204) jimlaroche83 (k: 2), (205) Blackguard, (206) raphael.catfish, (207) slimrs, (208) Anthonyck (k: 2), who also notes: "6/13: Very active during feeding, any time of day. Mingling well with tank mates, and already noticeably bigger in two weeks,", (209) SonoAngel (p: 2, k: 4), who also notes: "After 4 years in tank the female finally comming out in daylight. The male still very shy, mostly nocturnal.", (210) johnarmstrong, (211) Doras (k: 6), (212) shano6084, (213) FerocactusLatispinus, who also notes: "R.I.P. Ebenezer "Scrooge". The cutest of the cats. :(", (214) rcjkirk, (215) DGR1980, who also notes: "Not sure on background of this cat as it came with the tank", (216) Superfins, (217) turfboss, who also notes: "In tank with 15 Demasoni juvies and 1 Asian Algae Eater", (218) theguy40267, (219) syno-kev, (220) stealth77, (221) wirikwiri, (222) fahaka, (223) Iiriva, (224) Misiak (k: 3), (225) miguel mitchel, (226) shoegazer (k: 2), (227) linuxrulesusa (k: 2), (228) DKcincy, (229) Jass, (230) SirCastic, (231) the pleco guy (p: 3), (232) PlecosAndLoaches, (233) stephen.mabwa, (234) Kongstedt (k: 6), (235) keig0006 (k: 2), (236) MrDimmu, (237) Psy (k: 4), (238) MrsJP, (239) nattt33 (k: 2), (240) robertsindyrat, (241) slayer5590 (k: 3), (242) bullseyejoey4, (243) p44236, (244) summoner2183 (k: 2).

Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.

Breeding Reports

None.

Articles