Raphael catfish

[bushynose_cory]

Because raphaels are getting rare here, I'm planning on getting a school of them.

How many should I get to make a school? ABout 6? And are they happy in a school?

[Suckermouth]

Raphaels are not a schooling fish, although on the other hand I do see them laying on top of each other all the time at the LFS. I don't think it makes much of a difference other than personal preference how many you get, although remember that this species actually does get at least about 6" in length.

[corybreed]

How large an aquarium to you have? Although not schooling fish there is no problem keeping a group of six together if the tank is large enough. They probably will compete for the best hiding place and all wedge in together.

Mark

[bushynose_cory]

Today six thin but healthy two inch raphaels came to my house!!

[Richard B]

keeping a group together should not present you with any problems but i would ensure that multiple hiding spaces are available so the feel secure & if specimens are thin, feed frozen bloodworm etc & monitor them to sensure they are all healthy, feeding & putting on body mass.

[bushynose_cory]

Sadly, one died, but the others are fine. TOO fine, to be exact. The bellies are huge! They eat anything! And I thought they are nocturnal, but mine are just fine coming out during the day. And they swim around a lot and do funny tactics.......

Do these guys swim a lot at night? Because almost every day, they pig out on the pellets they steal from my polypterus. But at morning they look like they could use a good meal, the huge stomach disappears!

Right now I'm trying to judge how much to give them.

I wouldn't mind having an endless supply of them.......But they haven't been bred before.....