Raphael Catfish questions

J

jeninok

AC Members
Sep 3, 2008
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I have a spotted Raphael Catfish that we got probably about 6 months ago. He lives in a piece of T shaped PVC pipe and never comes out. I think I have seen him twice in that entire time.

I would like to get him out of the pipe so that I can get a look at him and make sure he looks ok, but I can't get him out. He puffs up and puts his spines out and I have had no luck!!

Is it normal to never ever see these guys?
And is there trick to getting them to leave their cave or pipe?
 
What and when do you feed? Mine will come out for sinking foods just about everytime, but has gone weeks without coming out too. If he looks fat and happy, I wouldn't worry too much.
 
Yes I have removed the pipe from the water, but he wouldn't come out and I didn't want to kill him.

I feed hikari sinking wafers as their staple, and then for variety bloodworms, Zuchini, Bananas from time to time, and a multipack of freshwater frozen foods that has bloodworms, frozen shrimp, and some sort of turkey heart/ vaggie mixture.

I do drop some in when the lights are out from time to time and try to get it close to his pipe, but I have never seen him eat anything except for one time.
 
It is very normal not to see your raphael. They are very nocturnal. The only way I used to see mine was I invested in some moonlights. After the bright tank lights would go out, my moonlights would come on and I would get to see him swimming around scouring for food. He probably is fine. I don't have any advice on the pvc pipe, but I have heard of others having theirs puff up and refuse to come out of various hiding places.
 
Thanks for the input, I am sure he is fine and not starving or he would be more likely to come out for food with the lights on. I also put guppies in the tank when I get over run and they dissapear so he is probably eating those too

I just wanted to give him a once over to make sure he was doing ok.

I tried sticking my finger in front of him and he didn't budge, so I tried to push him out from the back and he clamped down on my finger with his fins...Ouch!!
 
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