{"product_id":"spotted-raphael-catfish-agamyxis-pectinifrons-freshwater","title":"Spotted Raphael Catfish (Agamyxis pectinifrons)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eSpotted Raphael Catfish\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eAgamyxis pectinifrons\u003c\/em\u003e) is a polka dot tank in fish form: jet black armor scattered with white spots, rows of bony plates down each flank, and a personality built for the night shift. It is one of the famous \"talking catfish,\" producing an audible croak when it feels like commenting, and one of the hardiest, longest-lived fish in the hobby, with well-kept fish passing 15 years. Peaceful, nearly indestructible, and happy in everything from big community tanks to many cichlid setups. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build out the bottom crew.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons or larger for an adult. It spends the day parked in a hideout, so footprint matters more than height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGive it a cave:\u003c\/strong\u003e a dedicated hide like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-dark-rock-cave-aquarium-hide-bettas-shrimp-plecos\"\u003eHikari Dark Rock Cave\u003c\/a\u003e, driftwood tangle, or PVC tube is non-negotiable. A secure Raphael is a bolder Raphael.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 74 to 80°F, pH 6.0 to 7.5. Extremely forgiving once established, which is why this species has such a long track record.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore scavenger. Drop sinking foods like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-bottom-scratcher\"\u003eRepashy Bottom Scratcher\u003c\/a\u003e, wafers, or frozen \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003ebloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e shortly after lights out so the day crew does not steal dinner.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNetting warning:\u003c\/strong\u003e those locking pectoral spines snag in nets and can give you a poke. Guide it into a cup or bag underwater instead; it will croak at you either way.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNocturnal reality check:\u003c\/strong\u003e you will see it at feeding time and after dark. Daytime sightings increase with age, dim lighting, and a settled tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAgamyxis pectinifrons\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSpotted Raphael Catfish, Talking Catfish, Spotted Doradid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 6 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e74 to 80°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore scavenger, sinking foods at night\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e15 to 20 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAmazon basin, South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArmored and unbothered, it coexists with almost anything that cannot swallow it, including many rowdy cichlid communities that would harass softer catfish. Great tank mates include the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-sp\"\u003eBushynose Pleco\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/yo-yo-loach-botia-almorhae-freshwater\"\u003eYo Yo Loach\u003c\/a\u003e, larger tetras, barbs, and gouramis. The one caution runs the other way: at night a grown Raphael will happily inhale fish small enough to fit its surprisingly big mouth, so skip neon-size nano fish and shrimp colonies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-dark-rock-cave-aquarium-hide-bettas-shrimp-plecos\"\u003eHikari Dark Rock Cave\u003c\/a\u003e its daytime headquarters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-bottom-scratcher\"\u003eRepashy Bottom Scratcher\u003c\/a\u003e invertivore gel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eSFBB Frozen Bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e night feeding treat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it really talk?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt croaks, audibly, by grinding its pectoral fin joints and vibrating its swim bladder. You will hear it most when it is netted or when two Raphaels debate cave ownership.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI never see mine. Is it still alive?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlmost certainly, and probably fatter than when you bought it. Raphaels are champion hiders that feed by smell at night. Count on feeding-time appearances, not daytime laps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe with my cichlids?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsually yes, and it is a classic choice for that job. Its armor shrugs off curious cichlids in most communities; just avoid tankmates large enough to genuinely swallow it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy should I not use a net?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe serrated pectoral spines lock outward and tangle instantly in mesh, which is stressful for the fish and sharp for you. Herd it into a submerged cup or bag instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49047027024091,"sku":"FW1-F5029","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/4aa8bc42-6dae-4de8-9dfe-a1629b5254a4.jpg?v=1785409600","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/spotted-raphael-catfish-agamyxis-pectinifrons-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}