PlanetCatfish.com - Platydoras armatulus (Doradidae) Cat-eLog

Head-on view
Lateral view
Close-up of head
Lateral view
Rio Xingu
Habitat: submersed terrestrial grasses in this small Amazon side channel
Dorsal view
Head-on view
Orinoco drainage
Male
Female
Fry
Fry
Fry
Juvenile
Juvenile
Male in spawning colour
F1 juvenile
Drawing

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Platydoras armatulus** (Valenciennes, 1840)
Common Names	Humbug Catfish Chokladmal (Sweden), Hvidstribet Tornmalle (Denmark), Striped Raphael Catfish, Striped Talking Catfish
Type Locality	Río Paraná, but not below 27°30'S, South America.
Synonym(s)	Doras armatulus
Pronunciation	pla tee doh russ - are mat you luss
Etymology	Platydoras: From the Greek platys, meaning flat, and doras, meaning skin (also a word commonly used in forming generic names for doradids); in reference to the depressed head.
Articles	- CotM 1999 July
Species Information
Size	200mm or 7.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	This species has been misidentified as Platydoras costatus for decades, only in late 2008 was it recognised as P. armatulus. Orinocodoras eigenmanni can sometimes be offered for sale labeled as a Striped Raphael Cat or suchlike. This contaminant is most easily distinguished by its longer, more elongate snout and longer adipose fin. The contrasting white stripes on Platydoras armatulus are also considerably brighter, particularly on youngsters.
Sexing	Adult females are wider when viewed from above.
General Remarks	Talking catfishes get their common name from noises they make, mostly at night, by grinding their pectoral fin bone in its "socket". Click here to listen to this species.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Paraná River basin. La Plata, Paraná (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Lower Amazon, Tocantins (click on these areas to find other species found there) Piauí Rivers, Parnaíba (click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
pH	6.0 - 7.5
Temperature	23.0-30.0°C or 73.4-86°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	Slightly softer water is beneficial but not essential.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	All aquarium fish foods, sinking catfish tablets offer the best method of getting food to the fish. Bloodworm and high protein dry food are also favourites. Try delivering food at night. User data.
Furniture	Caves or pipes are a requirement if this fish is to avoid long-term stress or the possibility of mistaking a heater for safe refuge.
Compatibility	An ideal community fish, peaceful but rugged.
Suggested Tankmates	Anything from tetras to cichlids, preferably South American, but will mix with all community fish.
Breeding	Fry have been found in the aquarium, however spawning behaviour was not observed and is therefore unknown.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Histoire naturelle des poissons v. 15, pp 275.
Registered Keepers	There are 387 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 7 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 69 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.12.75.880
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:40 (species record created: 2001 Apr 28 00:00)