Author: (Linnaeus, 1758)
FBname: Raphael catfish
Remark: Widespread and geographically variable species. Le Bail et al. (2000) recognized two distinct species of <i>Platydoras</i> in the Rio Maroni; however, their use of available names is questionable. Accurate determination of available names and the likely discovery of undescribed species await thorough revision.
Comments: Lives on the bottom and feeds on mollusks, crustaceans, and organic debris.  Frequently occurs on sandy bottoms.  Often escapes into the sediment where it hides among the anfractuosities of the submerged stocks (Ref. 35381).  A juvenile in a stream of the rio Araguaia was recorded to clean the piscivorous characin <i>Hoplias cf. malabaricus</i> (Ref. 50806).