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Scientific Name | Platydoras armatulus (Valenciennes, 1840) |
Common Names | Humbug Catfish Chokladmal (Sweden), Hvidstribet Tornmalle (Denmark), 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. |
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Size | 200mm or 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. |
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Distribution | South America: Paraná River basin. 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) Log in to view data on a map. |
IUCN Red List Category | Not Evaluated |
pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
Temperature | 23.0-30.0°C or 73.4-86°F (Show species within this range) |
Other Parameters | Slightly softer water is beneficial but not essential. |
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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. |
Breeding Reports | There is no breeding report. |
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Reference | Histoire naturelle des poissons v. 15, pp 275. |
Registered Keepers | Keeping this species? Why not . There are 376 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data. |
Wishlists | Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 3 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what. |
Spotters | Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 59 records of this fish being seen, view them all. |
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More on Platydoras armatulus | |
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Look up Platydoras armatulus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility | |
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Last Update | 2021 Jan 10 07:53 (species record created: 2001 Apr 28 00:00) |