I've always loved these and my lsf has a good sized one in his tanks. I was wondering how well they defend themselves, if I get him now he'll have to share a tank with two bluegill for about a month. if i give him plenty of places to hide would this be alright? the bluegill are about 3 inches and the raphael is about the same.
How tough are raphael cats?
- Thread starter AVANC
- Start date
I've kept them with perch, bluegill, oscar, green terrors, channel cats (all similar sized to the raphael) and they always held their own just fine. The are armored little guys so most fish dont bug them too much unless competing for hiding places and then the one bugging the raph usually ends up in worse shape. Since bluegill probably wont try to hide in the same places as a raphael, you should be fine
Downright tough. Between their armor and sharp spines, they don't take any crap.
They are also tough in terms of holding up in rough tank conditions. I say this because about a year ago I had a disaster with my heater. It got stuck on and took the tank well over the 90s, probably into the 100s overnight. When I got up in the morning, the raphael was among only 3 survivors. Some of the fish actually "blew up" (innards exploded out of the body...).
They are also tough in terms of holding up in rough tank conditions. I say this because about a year ago I had a disaster with my heater. It got stuck on and took the tank well over the 90s, probably into the 100s overnight. When I got up in the morning, the raphael was among only 3 survivors. Some of the fish actually "blew up" (innards exploded out of the body...).
If you have ever touched one they are very hard. Unless another fish can eat it whole it won't stand a chance. Also be careful I about got poked last night when I was measuring him. Oh man, it was so close.
they are some tough guys that dont take crap from most other fish. my african cichlids dont even try to bother the ones in the tank
Bulletproof. I even had a tank get cold, (the idiot doing the waterchange forgot to plug the heater back in) oops. My striped got covered with fungus and I healed him up in a couple of days with maracyn and warm water. Many fish would not have done so well.
