View Full Version : So i'm getting a ropefish!
bettaobsession
08-02-2009, 6:09 PM
My dad decided he was going to get a ropefish and we already got the aquarium but i wanted some advice, comments, warnings, ect.....
SO PLEASE POST!!!!! :y220e::hi::D:y220d:
Lycanthropic
08-02-2009, 6:13 PM
I thought ropefish was a brackish fish?
Correct me if im wrong, plus I read they need 55-75 gallons to themselves...
bettaobsession
08-02-2009, 6:23 PM
Well the petstore said they were freshwater, and he s gonna be small, but he will get a bigger tank as he grows.
sweetthang81
08-02-2009, 6:39 PM
Well isn't it true that he will not really grow if he does not have the room? If so that may not be healthy for him. I have never had one so I am not positive either. But congrats on getting him :)
Tifftastic
08-02-2009, 6:40 PM
Ropefish are freshwater fish. They are very similar to bichirs and are the only member of their species. In captivity they average 15 to 20 inches. I would recommend a 75 to give the fish ample turning room on the narrow end of the aquarium.
This is a link to the polypterus forum on MFK it gives a very good primer on the polypterid family.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65770
red_wall
08-02-2009, 6:42 PM
They are freshwater, need 55+ gallon tank, and a few caves to hide in.
Don't mix with other fish, they eat smaller fish, and get roughed up by larger fish.
The web says they're also slow eaters, so faster fish will eat their food
They are escapists, so keep the lid on TIGHT
They also breathe air.
Tifftastic
08-02-2009, 6:43 PM
Well isn't it true that he will not really grow if he does not have the room? If so that may not be healthy for him. I have never had one so I am not positive either. But congrats on getting him :)
A fish will not "grow only to the size of their home" if the tank is well maintained. This idea came about when water changes were not done very often (if at all) and the fish was stunted due to nitrate build ups as well as other harmful substances. If they were not stunted they often died before they were full grown to due their toxic environments.
Twistersmom
08-02-2009, 7:09 PM
Aww, so jealous, rope fish are on my wish list!
Every thing I have read, talks about how they are very social fish, if you can swing more than one, might make for some happy rope fish.
jm1212
08-02-2009, 8:22 PM
ropefish do fine with other fish in the tank. the other fish just need to be peacful and big enough so that they dont fit into the mouth of the ropefish.
angelfish, severum, festivum, other ropefish, congo tetras, and flagtail catfish come to mind.
Death Pony
08-02-2009, 11:23 PM
A group of ropefish would be fun to watch. They're pretty clumsy, so make sure there is no loose decor that can be dislodged and possibly crush the fish. I would suggest Congo tetras for tankmates.
bettaobsession
08-03-2009, 4:39 PM
thanx for all the advice, we will be sure to get him a bigger tank as he grows soon, in this small a tank i will probably just have him by himself, Thanks!
bettaobsession
08-03-2009, 4:41 PM
p.s. what do they eat?