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View Full Version : Buying 6 baby Ropefish



Madding
05-15-2009, 12:28 PM
My girlfriend and I are picking up 6 baby Ropefish tonight from the LFS (their entire stock). They are about 3 inches long, maybe a CM thick. They look like green, scaled Kuhli Loaches. They are absolutely adorable! I've never seen juveniles this young. Being diehard Ropefish keepers we simply must have them--all of them.

We'll take some pictures if anyone wants to see them, I think you'll be amazed at just how itty-bitty these guys are.

Also, a question. I don't want to risk putting these little guys in with our hyper-active loaches until they've grown a bit. I'm almost certain they'd be stressed out or even killed by our beloved loaches, so the 45 gallon and 60 gallon tanks are currently off limits. The 150 gallon houses aggressive fish that would eat them immediately (Datnoid, etc).

Do you think a 16 gallon bowfront would be able to accomodate 6 tiny Ropefish for a couple of months? It would be a species tank, just to grow them out a bit, with a perfect setup to cater to their needs (caves, plants, etc.) The tank has been cycling on my bedroom floor for about a month now (yes, I cycle tanks for no reason -- just incase I need them) so it should be fish-ready after the water parameters are double-checked.

Think they'd be good in there for awhile? It's about 18 inches worth of fish (3" each, maybe a bit less or more depending on individual fish) but they're all thinner than most Kuhli loaches. I'm running two HOB Penguin bio-wheel filters, both for 20 gallon aquariums so the water quality should be pristine considering it's a 16 gallon tank.

I can't pass up the opportunity to raise these babies. Any input on if our tank in mind will work out? I would, of course, seal off all exits due to Ropefish escape habits.

fishman61
05-15-2009, 12:55 PM
One is all you need in that size of tank, make sure you lid of your tank is on tight, so they, or it, can't jump out. I seen one 20" before

Blueiz
05-15-2009, 1:05 PM
They get to be around 18 or so inches long. Perhaps for a very temporary home the 16 would be OK, however you'll need to house them in a large tank in the future. Personally, I'd stick to getting only 2 of them.

Madding
05-15-2009, 1:06 PM
One is all you need in that size of tank, make sure you lid of your tank is on tight, so they, or it, can't jump out. I seen one 20" before

I meant to make it clear that I'm getting all of them, they're on hold for me. Sorry for any confusion. The tank will be sealed as I noted in my original post...

I'm looking to grow them out in the 16 gallon for just a few months at the most, and was wondering if people thought all six would be okay in there.

rithunder916
05-15-2009, 1:09 PM
It depends on how fast they grow, but for a month or two I don't see them out growing that tank, unless I am completely wrong.


mike

fishman61
05-15-2009, 1:15 PM
what size of tank were you planning on putting all 6 of them in after they outgrow the tank they are in now?

Madding
05-15-2009, 1:15 PM
Thanks Mike. I'll have to try and read up on how fast they grow.

We've kept Ropefish many times before, we usually buy them at around 8+ inches, though. I have big tanks for adults, I was really just wondering what people thought about the juvies in the 16 gallon to grow them out a bit, not keep them in...

Madding
05-15-2009, 1:17 PM
what size of tank were you planning on putting all 6 of them in after they outgrow the tank they are in now?

That depends on how fast they grow. Once they gain a couple inches and some girth I'd feel comfortable introducing them into our 60 gallon.

A 150 gallon is our biggest tank, currently only holding a few fish, but who knows what other tanks I will have a year or two from now?

Alejandro45
05-17-2009, 8:15 PM
its fine to house them and please post some picks i gotta see them...like tiny baby dragons!!! just have alot of hide spaces and thick foliage and you should be fine there quite communal..

marinkafuschia
05-18-2009, 2:00 PM
sounds like you have a good idea of what your doing. I would think the 16g would be fine for a grow out. Post Pics!