striped raphael catfish - Aquarium Advice

talloulou · 10-05-2005, 03:17 PM

I bought one of these guys last weekend. After acclimating him I added him to the tank and have not seen him since

Is that normal? I know they are nocturnal but I haven't seen him at all. On an interesting note he did make a sqeaky sound when I took him from the store bag to transfer him to the tank.

**Fluff** · 10-05-2005, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talloulou

On an interesting note he did make a sqeaky sound when I took him from the store bag to transfer him to the tank.

That's why they are known as the talking catfish.

Being reclusive is pretty normal and he should have plenty of hiding areas to choose from. He may show himself more over time. Congrats on the new cat.

PBirdsong · 10-05-2005, 04:19 PM

I actually have the spotted species, two of em. They will stay hidden ALL day. You have to really look to even find them.But mine will come out just as soon as the lights are off.
They can hide is some weird places too. Their pectoral fins can "lock" into position securing them in place. Mine like to brace themselves upside down in small holes in my driftwood.
And the sound they make is made from two bones that they rub together. Just the same as you gritting your teeth. Mine do it everytime I "net" them.

Toirtis · 10-05-2005, 06:12 PM

I have several dozen talking cats that I have literally not seen in the better part of a year, so do not be surprised if you rarely see them at best.

**Devilishturtles** · 10-05-2005, 06:17 PM

I agree with everyone else. I have heard of them being called the "croaking" catfish. They can make some pretty wild noises.

Good luck with the new cat.

Stuart · 10-05-2005, 08:11 PM

Keepers that I know of try blood worm after dark to tempt them out - that seems to work. But it's definately a hidden catfish species.

tracygh · 10-08-2005, 02:33 PM

I have 4 of these guys, 2 each in different tanks. I rarely see them, but whn I do, it's a treat! One in my guppy tank comes out every evening when I feed the guppies and eats the falling food, and one in the ciommunity tank does the same. The second one in the community tank has wedged himself between some rocks and you have to look really hard to find him, but he's there.
They are absolutely beautiful fish, I wish they wouldn't hide

10-05-2005, 03:17 PM	#1
talloulou Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 2,092 Images: 17	striped raphael catfish I bought one of these guys last weekend. After acclimating him I added him to the tank and have not seen him since Is that normal? I know they are nocturnal but I haven't seen him at all. On an interesting note he did make a sqeaky sound when I took him from the store bag to transfer him to the tank. __________________ http://talloulou.smugmug.com/

10-05-2005, 04:19 PM	#3
PBirdsong Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 565 Images: 1	I actually have the spotted species, two of em. They will stay hidden ALL day. You have to really look to even find them.But mine will come out just as soon as the lights are off. They can hide is some weird places too. Their pectoral fins can "lock" into position securing them in place. Mine like to brace themselves upside down in small holes in my driftwood. And the sound they make is made from two bones that they rub together. Just the same as you gritting your teeth. Mine do it everytime I "net" them. __________________ --Pete-- Photojournalist Fox 31 - Denver, Colorado 55gal Planted FW Cichlid Tank.

10-05-2005, 06:12 PM	#4
Toirtis Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,768	I have several dozen talking cats that I have literally not seen in the better part of a year, so do not be surprised if you rarely see them at best. __________________ G. A. Christian Bilou, Zoologist/Writer Founder/Director, Reptile Rescue Alberta Vice-President, Calgary Aquarium Society www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com Polypterid/Primitive Fish/Ctenopoma/Catfish Fanatic 62 Aquariums, 2200+ total gallons, Aquarist since 1971.

10-05-2005, 08:11 PM	#6
Stuart Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Mids, UK Posts: 110	Keepers that I know of try blood worm after dark to tempt them out - that seems to work. But it's definately a hidden catfish species. __________________ Come share your pcitures with like-minded folk http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...tuart/sml2.jpg

10-08-2005, 02:33 PM	#7
tracygh Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Alliston, Ontario, Canada Posts: 444 Images: 4	I have 4 of these guys, 2 each in different tanks. I rarely see them, but whn I do, it's a treat! One in my guppy tank comes out every evening when I feed the guppies and eats the falling food, and one in the ciommunity tank does the same. The second one in the community tank has wedged himself between some rocks and you have to look really hard to find him, but he's there. They are absolutely beautiful fish, I wish they wouldn't hide __________________ Tracy of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most

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