Introduction
The Striped Raphael Catfish, also known as the Hopliosilurus papillifer, is a member of the genus Hopliosilurus, which belongs to the family Doradidae. It is a freshwater fish native to the Amazon basin of South America. Striped Raphael Catfish are usually found in slow moving rivers and streams, where they feed on a variety of aquatic invertebrates and plants. They grow to an average size of around six inches, with some as large as ten inches in length.
Appearance
The Striped Raphael Catfish is an impressive fish with a unique iridescent sheen due to its thick scales. Its body is a yellowish-green and its back and sides are marked with horizontal lines of yellow, brown and black. Its fins are also marked with these lines, giving it an attractive mottled and spotted appearance. Its eyes are red and its tail is wedge-shaped.
Behavior
The Striped Raphael Catfish is a shy and solitary fish, preferring to stay hidden away during the day. At night, it becomes much more active and can often be seen searching for food on the bottom of the tank. It is a predatory species and will feed on small insects and crustaceans, as well as algae. Additionally, the Striped Raphael Catfish will occasionally scavenge uneaten food items left in the aquarium by other fish.
Aquarium Care
The Striped Raphael Catfish is an easy fish to care for, thriving in both planted and unplanted aquariums. They prefer a soft, acidic aquarium with plenty of hiding places and plenty of well-oxygenated water. The ideal temperature range for the Striped Raphael Catfish is between 75°F and 82°F.
Since the Striped Raphael Catfish is a bottom feeder, it should always have access to a source of food, such as brine shrimp, blackworms, freeze-dried bloodworms, and other small live foods. The fish will also benefit from weekly water changes to maintain good water quality.
Compatibility
The Striped Raphael Catfish is a peaceful fish and generally gets along with most other peaceful tank mates. It is not aggressive and is a suitable fish for both community and species tanks. The Striped Raphael Catfish should not be kept with larger fish or with aggressive fish, as these may intimidate or attack the Striped Raphael Catfish. When kept in a community tank, make sure to provide the Striped Raphael Catfish with plenty of hiding places so it can retreat when needed.
Breeding
The Striped Raphael Catfish is difficult to breed in the home aquarium, as it requires specialized equipment and expertise. If you are interested in attempting to breed this fish, it is important to first acquire mature pairs that are sexually mature. The Striped Raphael Catfish is an egg scatterer and will coat the surface of plant leaves or stones with its adhesive eggs. The eggs should then be collected and put into an incubator, where they will hatch after two to three days.
Conclusion
The Striped Raphael Catfish is a peaceful and interesting fish that is easy to care for and suitable for most aquariums. It is a bottom feeder and can provide hours of entertainment as it searches the aquarium for food. Although it is difficult to breed in the home aquarium, it can make a great addition to any community tank.