A few questions about Raphaels, looking to purchase

[stevezx2002]

My LFS has had one raphael cat that is about 4" for about a month and I have thought it was kinda cool since the first time I saw it. I have wanted to get some bottom dwellers and my wife kinda likes catfish as it remindes her of fishing with her grandpa. I have been doing some research and I think it would be a match for my tank, but I have a few questions.

I have read that they are mostly nocturnal, but some do venture out durring the day. What kind of moon light setup would be best for nite viewing? What color, and type of lighting would let me see it without being so brite that it would hide all the time?

How would I put him into/take him out of the tank without a net? I drip acclimatize my fish in a bucket and would need to transfer him to the tank without adding the water from the bucket. Do I dump out the water and then slid him into the tank or carefully pick him up maby with a glove? I have read that you should use a glass or cup to remove them from the tank.

Would a Raphael be OK with my other fish in my 75 gal? I have 2 blood parrots, a blue acara, and 4 severums (will be 2 after they pair up)

Any other tips and advise about care, feeding, or your personal experiences are greatly appriciated as I would like to know as much as I can before I purchase a fish that can live ~25 years.

[toddnbecka]

A blue moonlight would be best for watching the tank after dark. Raphael cats are nocturnal, and have been known to live for years in aquariums w/out being seen out in the daytime.

A fine-mesh net is best for moving catfish, otherwise a plastic bowl or cup will work. You shouldn't need to worry too much about acclimating one that size unless your water is really different than the fish is accustomed to. Harder water is fine, softer/acidic water is when you need to acclimate.

Should be fine with the cichlids, but would likely eat eggs or fry at night. Not a good fish for a spawning tank, but fine for a cichlid community in general. Just make sure it has a suitable cave.

[stevezx2002]

Thanks for the quick reply
Would a LED moonlight system or cold cathode be best, what wattage?
My water is pretty hard, but I'm not sure what the water is like at the LFS.
I figured I wouldn't end up with any babies out of the severums, I think that 4 will eventually get too bi for my tank and I will have to cut back to 2. I have several terra cotta pots and a few that are cut in half so it is more like a cave that would suit him well I think.

[toddnbecka]

LED moonlight/s would be fine. Check your pH, if it isn't much lower than the lfs water you're good to go. Raphael's are tough fish, very seldom have I heard of any problems with them. (Aside from being generally invisible, or small fish in the same tank disappearing overnight...)

[stevezx2002]

Well, I told my wife to stop by the LFS and pick him up today on her way home from work. She didn't like the striped Raphael, so she got a spotted instead.

acclimating with the BP she decided to get while she was there
http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt303/stevezx2002/fish/DSC07491.jpg

settled in its new home
http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt303/stevezx2002/fish/DSC07498.jpg