Striped Raphael Talking Catfish?

[jasuk]

hi just got a talking catfish, i have read about diet etc, was wondering if anyone here has one for some tips from keepers of these fish?

 

[CFC]

Dont get too used to seeing it, once its established itself in the tank you will hardly ever see it as they are strictly nocturnal and very shy.

 

[corydorasj]

hi just got a talking catfish, i have read about diet etc, was wondering if anyone here has one for some tips from keepers of these fish?

Mine eats pretty much everything and anything, but loves bloodworm. They are greedy and will gorge themselves on anything available, I've seen mine look like it's eaten a golf ball when it's pigged out.

Don't see it much during the day, but the monster does emerge at feeding time if hungry enough (which is most of the time)

Provide a good hiding place where it can feel secure, mine panicked a bit when I moved house. I didn't aquascape the aquarium back up straight off, and it went a bit mental looking for somewhere to hide.

cheers

 

[andywg]

I have read in a few places that they should be kept in groups. Since I got my numbers up to 5 I've seen the more frequently (so maybe...once a month?)

 

[Bloo]

I have read in a few places that they should be kept in groups. Since I got my numbers up to 5 I've seen the more frequently (so maybe...once a month?)

Would that be "one (of them), once a month"? - making each individual sighting approx twice a year ?
Even that's pretty impressive I'd say !

j180, the are cool looking fish, but you'll probably just about never see yours. Even if you switch the tank lights off and wait for hours for them to come out

They would appreciate some frozen an fresh live foods - and then just all the usual variety they'll tuck into too.

 

[hellohefalump]

I see one of mine everyday. The end of a tail sticking out of a hollow log...

I've got three. I have no idea where the other two are, but one is ostrich-like and only hides his head! I never see them feeding, I assume they are, or else they would be dead, which they weren't last time I checked (end of august). I think they're eating leftovers from whatever I give the other fish - flake/pellets/algae wafers/bloodworm and pufferfish leftovers. They also eat the fry/eggs of my corys, mollys and angels.

They're lovely fish when you do see them. and they do better in groups.

 

[Barracuda518]

I agree, they are great fish. I had 4 at one time, 3 stripped and 1 spotted, and I loved them. They came out every once and a while. They were fun to watch when that fed. They definately like to be in groups, makes them feel more secure. I had only one at first and then got the other 3 and they came out more.

 

[Fishy412]

mine has a hiding spot. and its a good one because i barely ever see him. he cleans very very well though.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

just got one of these, i think, sold as a striped dorus (sp) i think. Cool little bugger, can't believe they talk! Hopefully he'll be as good at hiding as my other catfish..... see him everyday, well his tail poking out of his cave

as for having them in groups, would a mixed catfish group help him or just a group of the same fish?

 

[§tudz]

I havce ones Platydoras Costatus, it is out and abot a lot, and but does hide a lot too.
A lovely fish, but when larger may prediate on smaller fishies.

 

[scott67892002]

get your self a night light and some strong smelling catfish pellets that should bring it out they tend toget less shy with age or thats what if found with two i've owned.

 

[david m.]

I see one of mine everyday. The end of a tail sticking out of a hollow log...

I've got three. I have no idea where the other two are, but one is ostrich-like and only hides his head! I never see them feeding, I assume they are, or else they would be dead, which they weren't last time I checked (end of august). I think they're eating leftovers from whatever I give the other fish - flake/pellets/algae wafers/bloodworm and pufferfish leftovers. They also eat the fry/eggs of my corys, mollys and angels.

They're lovely fish when you do see them. and they do better in groups.

A good thing is that maybe if you wait a little until after you turn out the lights and drop some wafers and/or frozen bloodworms in, they might come out to feed because they can't just live on leftovers alone.

A former raphel keeper,

Dave Murphy

 

[Fishy412]

yeah i think mine might be dead. i havent seen him in over a year. i may be picking apart the tank today to find him. he must be a good 5 inches by now

 

[andywg]

The doradids are amazingly slow growing, to get to 5 inches from 2 will normally take at least a couple of years, if not more.

 

[§tudz]

Andy, Can I ask what that fish is in your sig?

Is it a stone fish, or monster fish I think it is called? its SO bizarre