Hancock's talking catfish

Platydoras hancockii

Also known as Blue-eyed raphael, Talking cat

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–82°F (23–28°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 5.9 in (15 cm)
Minimum tank: 53 gal (200 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Upper Negro, Orinoco, and Guyana drainages
Family: Doradidae

Overview

A hardy, peaceful raphael-type catfish that hides by day and comes alive after dark to work the bottom for food. It is gregarious rather than a strict schooler, so it does well singly or in a small group, and it leaves alone any tankmate too big to be eaten. Give it caves, pipes, or driftwood to wedge into, and a soft floor it will not scrape its barbels on. Feed sinking wafers, pellets, and frozen foods in the evening. A tank of around 200 liters suits this 15 cm fish; take care handling it, as its locking spines catch easily in nets.

In the wild

Platydoras hancockii comes from the upper Negro and Orinoco drainages and the rivers of Guyana, favouring soft, dark, wood-strewn water. Reproduce that with a sand bed, plenty of driftwood and leaf cover, and dim lighting, all of which help this nocturnal fish feel secure. Keep the water warm at 23-28 C and soft and slightly acidic to neutral, about pH 6-7.5. Tannin-stained blackwater conditions suit it well.

Good to know

A member of Doradidae growing to around 15 cm, Hancock's talking catfish resembles the familiar striped raphael but is set apart by a distinctive blue eye and a marbled, paler pattern. It was described by Valenciennes in 1840. Its common name comes from the creaking sounds it makes by stridulating its pectoral spines, amplified through the swim bladder. It is not known to breed in home tanks.

Did you know

The quickest way to tell it from the very similar striped raphael is the eye: Platydoras hancockii carries a clear, pale blue iris, which is why the trade also calls it the blue-eyed raphael.

Tank mates

Hancock's talking catfish is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.