..................................Ropefish
Other names:...........Snakefish, Reedfish Origin:......................Fresh and brackish waters of West Africa, Nigeria and Cameroon, Nigeria Delta Max size:..................36" PH:............-..............6.4-7.7 Temperature:...........72-82 F. Min tank size:..........75 gallons Food:.........................live foods, frogs, beefheart |
The Snakefish is a long, eel-like fish from the fresh and brackish waters of western Africa. The body is a dull brown\olive, with a light rusty red on the underside.
This oddball is nocturnal, meaning that it is most active at night. Snakefishes are peaceful, but should not be kept with smaller fish, as they will be eaten. They prefer the company of their own kind. This is a hardy fish and can survive out of water for hours, thanks to its lung-like swim-bladder. Keep the tank well covered because of this.
Snakefish have poor eyesight and locate their food using their keen sense of smell. They'll usually only eat live or meaty foods such as frogs, fish, crabs, shellfish, insect larvae, beefheart; they like it all.
E. calabaricus likes to hide, so plenty of caves and hiding places should be provided using rocks, roots, and driftwood. A well-planted tank is also appreciated.
E. calabaricus lacks pelvic fins, which is the main difference between this and the related genus Polypterus. Sexing this fish is possible; males have more bars on their caudal fin than females. Also, the male's caudal fin is an olive-green, while the female's is more of a light ochre. Successful breeding in captivity has not been reported.
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