Chocolate Striped catfish

Chocolate Striped Catfish

(Platydoras armatulus)

🌎 Origin

Native to slow-moving rivers and tributaries throughout the Amazon Basin in South America.

📏 Adult Size

18–22cm

⏳ Lifespan

10–15+ years with proper care.

🧠 Temperament

Peaceful, hardy and mostly nocturnal.
They are shy during the day and prefer to hide, becoming more active at night.

✔ Suitable for larger community aquariums
✔ Generally non-aggressive
⚠ Can eat very small fish if they fit in their mouth

They have armoured plates along their body and sharp pectoral spines, so care is needed when handling or netting.

🏡 Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 150L+

• Temperature: 24–28°C

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

• Flow: Moderate

They appreciate:
• Driftwood and caves
• Dim lighting
• Sandy or smooth gravel substrate
• Plenty of hiding spots

Stable, clean water is essential for long-term health.

🍽 Diet

Omnivorous scavenger.

Feed a varied diet of:

• Quality sinking pellets or wafers

• Frozen bloodworms

• Brine shrimp

• Occasional fresh foods

They locate food using barbels and a strong sense of smell.

🐠 Tank Mates

Suitable with:

• Medium to large peaceful fish

• Larger tetras

• Peaceful cichlids

• Silver dollars

• Other non-aggressive species

Avoid nano fish or very small tank mates.

⭐ Why Choose a Chocolate Striped Catfish?

• Striking cream stripes over a rich brown body

• Extremely hardy

• Long-lived species

• Adds personality to larger aquariums

A great option for hobbyists wanting a unique bottom-dweller that thrives with proper setup and long-term care.