PlanetCatfish.com - Platydoras costatus (Doradidae) Cat-eLog

Close-up of head

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Platydoras costatus** (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common Names	Striped Dora Liniendornwels (Germany), Surinam-tornmalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	Indiis [South America].
Synonym(s)	Doras costatus, Doras dentatus, Doras helicophilus, Mystus ascita, Platydoras dentatus, Platydoras helicophilus, Silurus costatus
Pronunciation	pla tee doh russ - kos TAT uss
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.
Articles	- CotM 2018 December
Species Information
Size	240mm or 9.4" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	This species was long misidentified as the widely distributed species commonly available in the hobby, however now appears to be restricted to two rivers in eastern South America. The common species in the hobby is Platydoras armatulus.
Sexing	Unknown
General Remarks	Platydoras helicophilus is questionably a synonym of Platydoras costatus. If and when this name is resurrected to a valid species in its own right, then the fishes exported in 2021-22 (pictured here) will also move. 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	South America: Amazon, Tocantins, Parnaíba, Orinoco, Essequibo River basins and coastal drainages in French Guiana and Suriname to Argentina. Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, Essequibo (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
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.
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. User data.
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	Unknown.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Systema Naturae, Ed. X v. 1, pp 306.
Registered Keepers	There are 7 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 4 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode

	Search for P. costatus
	Look up P. costatus on AquaticRepublic.com
	Look up P. costatus on Fishbase
	Look up P. costatus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up P. costatus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.12.75.166
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:36 (species record created: 2001 Apr 28 00:00)