Spotted Raphael Catfish
Country of Origin: 🇨🇴ColombiaRaphael Spotted Catfish
Background Information
The Raphael Spotted Catfish (Agamyxis pectinifrons), also known as the Spotted Talking Catfish, Spotted Raphael catfish, or Whitebarred Catfish, is a species of thorny catfish native to the Amazon River basin in South America, particularly Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.
They are often referred to as “talking catfish” due to their ability to produce audible sounds via stridulation of the pectoral spines in their sockets and amplifying this sound through the swim bladder.
The Raphael Spotted Catfish can grow up to a length of 5.9 inches when mature. They, therefore, require a tank of at least 35 gallons for a pair. The temperature range should be maintained at 22-26°C (68-79°F) and the pH at 5.5-7.5.
Rocks, driftwood, and slate caves should be included in the tank to allow these nocturnal fish to take refuge during the day, as they do not enjoy bright illumination. Floating vegetation can be utilized to help diffuse the lighting and provide additional hiding places.
It is also important to provide a soft sand substrate in the tank to protect their delicate sensory barbels.
The Raphael Spotted Catfish is not an aggressive fish and will not show any aggression to other fish of the same size.
Feeds
The Raphael Spotted Catfish is a classic omnivore. It will accept a varied diet comprising of good quality, dried, sinking pellets or tablets supplemented by regular meals of live or frozen foods.
Suitable foods for the Raphael Spotted catfish include:
Food we Carry
Live Foods Options
- Tubifex
- Mosquito larvae
- Earthworms
Tankmates
The Raphael Spotted Catfish is a peaceful fish species and will get along with most other fish as long as they are not aggressive or too small to be considered food. These gregarious species will especially display more natural behavior when kept in a group of at least four specimens.
Most ideal tankmates for the Raphael Spotted Catfish include:
- Neon tetras
- Barbs
- Rainbowfish
- Peaceful cichlids
Frequently Asked Questions
How big does the Raphael Spotted Catfish get?
The Raphael Spotted catfish can grow up to 5.9 inches in length when kept in a well-maintained aquarium.
Are Raphael Spotted Catfish aggressive?
The Raphael Spotted Catfish is non-aggressive though adults may consume tiny fish. They are also excellent candidates for a community tank since they get along with many other fish species.
What fish can be kept with the Raphael Spotted Catfish?
The Raphael Spotted catfish is gregarious by nature and will tend to display more natural behavior when kept in groups of at least four or more fish species.
Some of the most compatible tank mates for the Raphael Spotted Catfish include medium-sized Characins, Barbs, Rainbowfish, and Peaceful cichlids.
DOA Policy
While this is a rare occurrence, it can and will happen from time to time. Fish are live animals and we cannot ensure that every one will arrive alive or remain alive. We do ask that if your fish arrives dead (DOA), submit a picture of the deceased fish that is in the bag within 2 hours of the delivery time of your fish. We will work quickly with you to resolve the problem.
We will offer replacement fish for any losses, but do not offer refunds at this time. We can replace fish but shipping costs is the responsibilityof the buyer. If you put the fish in your tank and it dies or is not acting properly, please contact us, with pictures,within 24 hours. We will again, do everything in our power to resolve the issue and ensure that you have a great experience with these fish.
Shipping Policy
Most Shipments will be UPS Next Day Air unless otherwise noted. Processing fish for your order can take up to 2 business days. This is to ensure your fish and healthy, happy, and ready to be put in your tank when it arrives. We ship fish on Mondays- Wednesday (excluding holidays) to ensure fish arrive before weekends. This allows us to completely prepare the fish for shipping and ensure they are healthy prior to arrive at your door. All fish will be shipped with oxygenated water and specific additives in the water to ensure they maintain their health and stability during shipment. Depending on the species of fish and current weather conditions, the fish may arrive with a heat pack or ice pack to maintain the optimal temperature which further ensures the health and safety of your fish. All costs of shipping (postage, packaging,heat/ice packs, etc.) are included in the Shipping fee. We ship to only the continental United States.
FAQ
"The fish I received do not look like the fish in thepicture. Why is this?"
- We typically take photographs of one or two fish when we initially get them in. Since we have a large quantity of most of the various species of fish, it would be understandably impossible to provide a picture ofevery individual fish with a specific species. For some of our more rare orlarger fish, the picture listed may be the actual fish that you are receiving.If this is the case, it will be designated by ?WYSIWYG?, meaning ?what you see,is what you get?.
"What happens if my fish arrive dead?"
- While this is a rare occurrence, it can and willhappen from time to time. Fish are live animals and we cannot ensure that everyone will arrive alive or remain alive. We do ask that if your fisharrives dead (DOA), submit a picture of the deceased fish that is in the bag.We will work quickly with you to resolve the problem. We will offer replacement fish for any losses, but do not offer refunds at this time. We will reship any replacement fish at the buyer's expense. If you put the fish in your tank and it dies or is not acting properly, please contact us, with pictures, within 24 hours. We will again, do everything in our power to resolvethe issue and ensure that you have a great experience with these fish.
"What if I'm not home when the fish arrive?"
- We will always provide you with a tracking number. While the fish are packaged to survive about 72+ hours within the shipping containers, we do ask that you make arrangements to arrive home to inspect your fish as soon as possible after they are delivered to your home. Itis always suggested to provide an area for the delivery person to place the boxthat is out of direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.
"What do I do with my fish once I've unpacked them?"
- Like you would with any new fish, let the entire bag float in your tank for 15-30 minutes. This allows the temperature withinthe bag to adjust to the same as your tank and will reduce temperature shock onthe fish. After this time, you can add all of the fish and water that is in thebag into your tank. The products used within the water for shipping will notharm any existing fish within your tank and actually makes the transition foryour new fish a bit easier. After this, expect your new fish to take a few daysto become fully adjusted, this includes hiding, floating at the top, sinking tothe bottom, and not eating. After a few days, your new fish should be acting aswimming like they normally would. At this point, enjoy your aquarium!
"I want to return my new fish because x,y,z?"
- Unfortunately, we are unable to accept returns.We do recommend contacting us via email with yourorder number and as much information as possible. We will try to assist you inresolving whatever the issue may be.