Edit Platydoras armatulus
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Name
Scientific name
Platydoras armatulus
Described by
Authority Valenciennes, Year 1840, Bracketed
Family
Doradidae
Common names
Humbug Catfish
Photograph credits
All 3 credited
Summary
The humbug catfish, Platydoras armatulus, is a doradid catfish from the Paraná and Paraguay basins in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paragu…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
240mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 24–30°C, pH 5.8–7.5
Hardness
2–20dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Predatory
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Paraguay, Paraná
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Found in the Paraná and Paraguay basins in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay, and the Catalog of Fishes also lists Uruguay. Ota et al. (2018) treat it as…
Habitat
Slow-moving and standing waters including tributaries, creeks and swamps. It's usually found sheltering among roots or submerged vegetation.
Aquarium size
It's not very active but due to its potential size will still need a tank measuring at least 120 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm - ~108 litres.
Maintenance
It's a shy, nocturnal species so it's best to keep the tank dimly lit. Provide plenty of hiding places in the form of clay flowerpots, lengths of plastic pipin…
Water conditions
Temperature: 24 – 30 °C pH: 5.8 to 7.5 Hardness: 2 to 20°H
Diet
Omnivorous and easy to feed. Use a good quality sinking pellet or tablet as the staple diet. Supplement this with live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, smal…
Behaviour and compatibility
Totally unaggressive but it will eat smaller fish so isn't really suitable for the general community. It can be kept with most peaceable species that are too b…
Sexual dimorphism
Unknown.
Reproduction
There are no reports of breeding in the hobby. Apparently in nature it spawns amongst surface vegetation.
Notes
This popular species is also sold as the striped dora, striped raphael or striped talking catfish. It's often seen as an ideal beginner's cat, being hardy and …
References
References
3 on this profile