• Scientific name: Platydoras armatulus
• Synonyms: Doras armatulus
• Common name: Striped Raphael Catfish, Chocolate catfish
• Group: Catfishes
• Habitat: South America, Peru
• Size: 22 cm
• Biotope: The Putumayo and Amazon Rivers in Peru
• Social behavior: Peaceful and amusing, the fish is well suited to a large community tank.
• Diet: Omnivorous, snails, Tubifex, algae, tablets
• Breeding: Have not reportably been bred in captivity so far
• Tank: Minimum 100 litres
• Population: 1 fish for 130 litres
• Decoration: Often burrows and needs a clean corner with fine gravel. Will not damage plants through fine-leaved vegetation may suffer from the slit. Prefers a cover of floating plants with such hiding places as hollows of roots.
• Temperature: 23-28 °C
• pH: 6-7,5
• Hardness: 2-20 NK°
• Lifespan: 10-15 years

Description: This species has been misidentified as Platydoras costatus for decades, only in late 2008 was it recognised as Platydoras armatulus. This is most easily distinguished by its longer, more elongate snout and longer adipose fin. The contrasting white stripes on Platydoras armatulus are also considerably brighter, particularly on youngsters.

It is the nicest of the thorny catfishes. The body widens and ends at a point at the tail. The belly has a straight profile. The base color of the body is chocolate brown. Three white stripes form an attractive pattern on the fish. The first extends along the jaw from the tip of the snout to the end of the pectoral fin. The second runs from the middle of the forehead along a spiny ridge to the tail. The third runs along the top of the fish's back. There are two pairs of barbels, one on each the lower and upper jaw. The striped raphael catfish is territorial towards its own species, but no harm is done, just simply a display of pectoral and dorsal spines is performed. Chocolate catfish often hides during the day, and comes out to feed at dusk. This catfish emits a talking-like sound when it rubs its pectoral fins against one another. Do not use a net to catch, rather use a glass as they are prone to sticking out their side spines in a very rigid manner when they are stressed. This is a hardy catfish that is not difficult to care for.