Can I squeeze in a Rafael?

[Joshuakahan]

I redistributed my fish and my 120 now has an Oscar and 4 bichirs, a friend picked up an 8”
Rafael cat that he needs gone ASAP, I’ve never kept a Rafael, are they good bottom cleaners or are they messy?

 

[tlindsey]

I redistributed my fish and my 120 now has an Oscar and 4 bichirs, a friend picked up an 8”
Rafael cat that he needs gone ASAP, I’ve never kept a Rafael, are they good bottom cleaners or are they messy?

They are vaccumm cleaners if it's something they really like lol. The biggest issue I see is the Raphael Catfish will eat faster than the Bichir so you will need to add extra food.

 

[tlindsey]

They are vaccumm cleaners if it's something they really like lol. The biggest issue I see is the Raphael Catfish will eat faster than the Bichir so you will need to add extra food.

Not messy but likes to hide if provided with a cave, ornament, or driftwood.

 

[Matteus]

Raph cats are great clean up crew. I have a good friend with that exact mix in his tank and all is well with his crew. tlindsey nailed it on the head about the polys being slow eaters though but I’m sure it won’t be a huge issue.

 

[Joshuakahan]

They are vaccumm cleaners if it's something they really like lol. The biggest issue I see is the Raphael Catfish will eat faster than the Bichir so you will need to add extra food.

Awesome, thanks for the info

 

[Joshuakahan]

Here’s a pic, my friend has it in a holding tank but I’ll probably go grab it tomorrow

 

[Magnus_Bane]

Be forewarned tho that these catfish are almost strictly nocturnal and hide for months on end. Lol once it's in the tank it'll almost be like it was never added in at all with how often you'll see it. I've had a spotted and striped before and both were non-existent about 98% of the time. Only times I ever got to see em was during cleaning, fish removal and once in a blue moon during the bichir's late night feeding.

 

[Deadeye]

My Raphael is actually surprisingly active. He comes out during every feeding, and hides in a visible spot. Makes him a weird one I guess.

 

[Joshuakahan]

My Raphael is actually surprisingly active. He comes out during every feeding, and hides in a visible spot. Makes him a weird one I guess.

Do they have to have lots of cover? The tank is setup for the bichirs and Oscar, so it has very little decor, just sand, and few large rocks.

 

[Joshuakahan]

My Raphael is actually surprisingly active. He comes out during every feeding, and hides in a visible spot. Makes him a weird one I guess.

Here’s the scape now