anything special i need to know bout it, got it from petsmart and some other plecos, but the employee didnt even know what a pleco was so all i got was to feed him, goldfish flakes
striped rapheal catfish
- Thread starter ewo
- Start date
Striped raphaels tend to hide a lot. You might have some trouble getting yours to eat goldfish flakes, since they stay at the bottom. Sinking pellets are probably best. Also, you should probably feed them when the lights are out and it is dark since they are most active at night. Keep in mind that you may never really see them eat. Raphaels are also extremely slow growers but have the potential to get big. I used to have a 9 incher. Oh yeah, and don't pick one up (They can give you a nasty pinch). Good luck with your Raphael, They are awesome catfish.
I have a spoted Rapael, They are very hardy. He is like a Pleco as far as care goes, not much work. You will not see much of him though. In the 6 months I've had mine, I've seen him about 10 times, usually when I turn the light on as he is tying to hide from it.
I have a striped and spotted raphael, and they are great tankmates. Will work with 90% of other aggressive fish. they like sinking foods, pellets, microcrabs and frozen foods. I never see my raphaels. Do not use nets to move these fish. Any newbie should be able to keep one of these alive. They like planted tanks with subdued lighting. also need a dark hiding place during the day so they dont get stressed.
i got a striped rafael and its growth has been really slow. got mine at about 2 inches in January and now it is probably 4.5-5 inches. pretty hard fish, i guess it eats whatever my JD doesn't because i have never seen the rafael eat and its still alive after almost a year.
snake513;1323279; said:
Thats funny cause when I had a striped ralph it hap to me.I just got my hands on his bigger grother. The Irwini Catfish and hes just like the ralph except with like blades on his side. Pretty cool looking fish (about 5.5").
My striped raph is pretty active. He comes out and grabs food when I feed (lights on). He eats anything he can fit in his mouth. He eats silverside pieces, krill, catfish chunks, sinking pellets, floating pellets that eventually sink, algae wafers, beef heart, blood worms, or anything else that hits the bottom. He's a pig (and a GREAT addition to the tank). He has lots of hiding places, so I think that he's comfortable enough to come out (if that makes sense).
I wish my Irwini was like that, maybe in time he willI have a striped raphael. I think I still do. I have had it for a year and have seen it about 5 times.