TankBud

Hancock's talking catfish

Platydoras hancockii

Also known as Blue-eyed raphael, Talking cat

FreshwaterFish

Hancock's talking catfish (Platydoras hancockii)

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
Family
Doradidae
Origin
Upper Negro, Orinoco, and Guyana drainages

Overview

Hancock's talking catfish is a hardy, peaceful raphael-type catfish that hides by day and works the bottom for food after dark. It is a step up from the easiest catfish.

Did you know

The quickest way to tell Hancock's talking catfish from the very similar striped raphael is the eye. This species carries a clear, pale blue iris. The trade also calls it the blue-eyed raphael for that reason.

Caring for the Hancock's talking catfish

Hancock's talking catfish needs a tank of at least 53 gal (200 L), with a sand bed it will not scrape its barbels on. Add caves, pipes or plenty of driftwood to wedge into, along with leaf cover. Dim lighting helps it feel secure.

Keep the water soft and slightly acidic to neutral, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C). Aim for a pH of 6.0 to 7.5, and tannin-stained blackwater conditions suit it well. Feed sinking wafers, pellets and frozen foods in the evening.

Hancock's talking catfish is gregarious rather than a strict schooler, so it does well singly or in a small group. It leaves alone any tank mate too big to be eaten. Take care handling it, because its locking spines catch easily in nets. It is not known to breed in home tanks.

Good to know

Hancock's talking catfish is a member of Doradidae and resembles the familiar striped raphael, though its pattern is paler and marbled. 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.

In the wild

Platydoras hancockii comes from the upper Negro and Orinoco drainages and the rivers of Guyana. It favors soft, dark, wood-strewn water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Hancock's talking catfish is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Hancock's talking catfish need?

A Hancock's talking catfish needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Hancock's talking catfish need?

A Hancock's talking catfish is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Hancock's talking catfish eat?

A Hancock's talking catfish eats sinking wafers, pellets and frozen foods. Feed it in the evening.

How big does a Hancock's talking catfish get?

An adult Hancock's talking catfish reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

Related species