demon_surfer
10-28-2003, 3:20 PM
does anyone know if a Erpetoichthys calabaricus (ropefish) would do ok in a tank with Gymnogephagus Balzanii?
they are cichlids that get to be about 8 inches long.
G. Balzanii requires colder water than the ropefish. And Balzanii isn't aggressive while Ropefish is predator. You might wanna rethink on this.
demon_surfer
10-28-2003, 3:51 PM
ropefish isnt going to get big enough to swallow the balzanii though is it?
demon_surfer
10-28-2003, 3:53 PM
everything Ive read say tha Balzanii like water at about 72 - 79 F which is standard for just about all Tropicals.
WHat makes you say they prefer cold water?
Because that's what Jeff Rapps told me.
This is what he said:
"Great fish! They are harem spawners - as in several females to each male is the norm. In a 75 gal tank, for example, one male and 4 females would work well. In a 100 gal (5 feet long), you may keep 2 males and say 6 females....
Sand is the preferred substrate. No need to heat the tank-they are not very tolerant of sustained high temps (above say 78-80*F) for too long. To be at their best, they could use a 'cool down' period of several weeks at 62-65*F, while at other times a temp around 70-74*F is good.
You see, they are mostly subtropical in distribution. The ones I've kept are from Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina. In these southern countries of South America, average winter temps (which occur during our summer here in the northern hemisphere) are often in the low to mid 50's. Water temps of upper 50's to lower 60's are common for these fish.
Knowing about this cool down period, a hobbyist can imitate it to some degree in their tanks. Now don't go out and buy a chiller (unless you really like to spend money on aquarium gadgets- or you are a former marine hobbyist... - and/or live in a really hot area where room temps are consistently above 80* and just have to have this species!)
This species prefers dimly lit tanks with some sheltered areas. Foods are easy - they will eat most sinking/midwater floating pellets, plus flake (lots of spirulina is best), plus frozen goodies like bloodworms, shrimp. etc.).
Spawning mode is delayed mouthbrooding. The female will lay eggs on a substrat (flat or smooth stone) and loosely guard them. She may even cover them with sand. After a couple days, she will take them up into her mouth and incubate them for the next couple weeks. Once free swimming, the fry will be released from her mouth to feed. For the first week, they will dart back in for safety at her signal.
After 15 or so days, they are too large and not as interested in swimming back in there.
The male is not really concerned with any particular female's batch of fry. As I mentioned above, they are harem spawners. So he will be looking for the next female to spawn with while the egg-guarding females tend to the clutch of eggs/fry.
These and other Gymnogeos of the gymnogenys and labiatus complex spawn in similar fashion and have similar requirements."
I did a search on Ropefish...it said that thing gets to 36" and it was a predator. And it likes water temp between 71-82 degree.
demon_surfer
10-29-2003, 11:27 AM
temperature in my house is usually about 78F or so. Thanks for the info.
THey should do ok together, the ropefish can take the lower temperatures. I cant manage the periods of extreme lows but he doesnt seem to think that is necessary.
however I have had some re-arangements on what I am planning to do with my fish so this mix isnt going to happen!