I have a youngish (I've had him for about 8 months since 2") Striped Raphael Catfish who is around 4.5" currently. I love this little bugger even though we never saw him until his hideyhole disappeared and he has to hide under the plants now. Raphaels are shy, nocturnal, and are also known as "croaking catfish". I didn't believe the hype so imagine my surprise the second or third time he was out of the water rasping his little fins- I about had a heart attack.
With getting a large tank, we would love to have a pleco because we like the way they look and the purpose they help to serve. My worry is that even though the pleco will eventually be somewhere around 12" or more, and the Raphael only 7" or so at best, the Raphael is a predator. I fully anticipate losing some guppies, platys, or whatever to the Raphael (and I have a sneaking suspicion he's behind the latest guppy mangling), but what about the pleco? Since most that are sold are around 4", will it be in any danger from a full grown Raphael? And even when they are both full sized, I don't think that the pleco is a particularly aggressive fish- will the Raphael bully it?
Some things I was mulling over, I'd appreciate your thoughts/experiences.
With getting a large tank, we would love to have a pleco because we like the way they look and the purpose they help to serve. My worry is that even though the pleco will eventually be somewhere around 12" or more, and the Raphael only 7" or so at best, the Raphael is a predator. I fully anticipate losing some guppies, platys, or whatever to the Raphael (and I have a sneaking suspicion he's behind the latest guppy mangling), but what about the pleco? Since most that are sold are around 4", will it be in any danger from a full grown Raphael? And even when they are both full sized, I don't think that the pleco is a particularly aggressive fish- will the Raphael bully it?
Some things I was mulling over, I'd appreciate your thoughts/experiences.
