Raphael Catfish questions

[jeninok]

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?

 

[dirtydawg10]

Have you ever removed the pipe from the water?

 

[Hooked Newbie]

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.

 

[jeninok]

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.

 

[dirtydawg10]

You obviously don't want to kill it...I was just wondering if you tried it. Can you get a finger or something in front of it in the PVC "T" so maybe it will back away from you?

 

[Luvbugz]

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.

 

[jeninok]

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!!