{"product_id":"striped-dora-raphael-catfish-platydoras-armatulus-5cm","title":"Striped Dora Raphael Catfish Platydoras Armatulus 5cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Striped Raphael Catfish is a chunky, armour-plated doradid with bold cream stripes running the length of a dark chocolate body. Like its spotted cousin it can croak audibly, earning the name talking catfish. Widespread across the Amazon and Orinoco basins, it is a hardy, long-lived and peaceful bottom dweller for larger community tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 20 cm (8 in); occasionally 24 cm (9.5 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 15–20 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Amazon, Orinoco, Essequibo and Tocantins basins, South America\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow creeks, swamps and backwaters among roots and submerged plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Omnivorous\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Sinking pellets, bloodworm, earthworms, prawn, mussel, algae wafers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Feed after lights out; adults need feeding only every other day\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Medium to large tetras, peaceful cichlids, other doradids, plecs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Fish and shrimp small enough to be eaten at night\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Shy, peaceful and tolerant of its own kind\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Low; may squabble briefly over favourite caves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Beginner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Nocturnal and secretive; grows larger than many expect\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, soft to moderately hard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 24–30°C (75–86°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 5.8–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 2–20 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 150 litres; larger for a group or adults\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a genuine long-term commitment: a well-kept specimen can outlive many dogs, and it slowly grows into a substantial fish. Provide caves, pipes or bogwood hollows, a sand substrate and dim lighting; it becomes bolder and will feed in daylight as it matures. Its locking pectoral spines catch in nets, so use a jug to move it. Females are broader, but sexing is unreliable and captive breeding is exceptionally rare. A characterful, bulletproof catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680667709817,"sku":"STF-CAT-STRIPED-DORA","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-CAT-STRIPED-DORA.png?v=1790096914","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/striped-dora-raphael-catfish-platydoras-armatulus-5cm","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}