Doradidae

Striped Raphael catfish

Platydoras costatus

Lateral stripe ends before head

• Tropical
• Coastal
• Southern Hemisphere
• Regional distribution
• Freshwater fish
• South America
• Elongated
• Medium
• Tropical fish

Platydoras costatus, the Raphael catfish, is a species of thorny catfish native to rivers in Brazil, Suriname and French Guiana. It was long confused with other species in the genus Platydoras, especially the more widespread "true" striped Raphael catfish (P. armatulus). P. costatus grows to a length of 24 cm (9.4 in) SL, and unlike P. armatulus the light stripe along the body of P. costatus does not extend onto the head.