Spotted raphael catfish (Agamyxis pectinifrons) care guide

Group

Freshwater fish

Other names

Spotted talking catfish, Whitebarred catfish, Spotted raphael, Doras pectinifrons, Doras flavopictus

Family

Doradidae (thorny catfishes)

Origin

South America: Amazon River basin.

Water

freshwater

Maximum size

15 cm

Temperature

20–26°C

pH

6–7.5

Hardness

Very soft to hard, up to 20 dGH

Minimum tank

150 litres

Care level

beginner

Temperament

peaceful

Care

A hardy, long-lived thorny catfish that spends the day hidden and comes out at night. It can be kept singly or in a group. As our estimate, a tank of about 100 × 40 cm (around 150 litres) suits an adult. PlanetCatfish stresses that it needs a dark refuge, such as a cave, pipe or wood, although small fish will spend the day in dense vegetation. Use a soft substrate and keep lighting subdued, or provide floating plants, so you see it more often. PlanetCatfish gives 20–26 °C and pH 6.0–7.5 (FishBase 5.8–7.5 and up to 20 dGH). It is not demanding, but keep up regular water changes. Handling: like other doradids it has rows of sharp, hooked spines along the sides and strong fin spines that tangle in nets and can cut hands, so move it with a container instead of a net. It can make grunting or creaking sounds with its pectoral spines, which is where the name "talking catfish" comes from. Identification: dark brown to black with light spots that vary from bright white to pale yellow in different imports. It is smaller and more spotted than the striped raphael (Platydoras armatulus). Sexes are not easily told apart. FishBase lists it as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessed 2020). Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=313); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Agamyxis-pectinifrons.html). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Will eat any food that reaches it. PlanetCatfish recommends bloodworm and sinking catfish tablets as the best foods; add sinking pellets and other frozen foods. It feeds mainly at night, so add food after lights-out to make sure it gets its share.

Breeding

There are no confirmed aquarium breeding reports. PlanetCatfish notes that it appears to build bubble nests or lay its eggs among floating plants at the surface. Sexes are hard to tell apart, although adult females are generally broader when seen from above.

Compatibility and tank mates

PlanetCatfish calls it a perfect community fish. It is peaceful and leaves most tankmates alone, so it suits medium-sized community fish such as tetras, barbs, gouramis, peaceful cichlids and other catfish. Very small fish that sleep on the bottom could be at risk from a large, night-active catfish, so choose tankmates that are not tiny.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.