Raphael catfish (Platydoras costatus)

Scientific name: Platydoras costatus Linnaeus, 1758

Raphael catfish (Platydoras costatus)

The Raphael catfish (Platydoras costatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Doradidae that grows to about 24 cm (9.4 in). It is easy to keep and aggressive and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 24–30°C (75–86°F) and a pH of 5.8–7.5. Native range: South America, Amazon, Tocantins, Parna?ba, Orinoco, Essequibo River basins.

Raphael catfish care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Aggressive
Adult size
24 cm (9.4 in)
Minimum tank
210 L (55 US gal)
Temperature
24–30°C (75–86°F)
pH
5.8–7.5
Hardness
2–20 dGH (36–357 ppm)
Diet
Omnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Platydoras costatus
Family
Doradidae (Thorny catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
24.0
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 5.8 - 7.5; dH range: 2 - 20 demersal
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
South America: Amazon, Tocantins, Parna?ba, Orinoco, Essequibo River basins and coastal drainages in French Guiana and Suriname. Reported from Argentina.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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