View Full Version : anyone had experience with a rope fish?
Lady G
11-12-2005, 12:53 AM
I was just wondering if anyone knew about rope fish? I was at a LFS and seen them they were so fun to watch. I wouldn't be able to get one anytime soon but once I am able to get a bigger tank I may be interested in getting one, if anyone can tell me if they are good or bad to have. The tab on thier tank did say they get up to 18", but I've had bad experiences with listening to LFS's opinion on how big a fish may get. Does anyone know if they really get that big or do they get bigger than that? :confused:
Thank you,
Gin
Blueiz
11-12-2005, 1:09 AM
http://www.geocities.com/angiemcg2000/ropefish.html
Heres an article with some basic information, I am also looking into to getting one or two for my tank.
StreetCypher
11-12-2005, 1:59 AM
Come swing by
http://aquaticpredators.com/forums/index.php?showforum=42
best bichir forum on the net (rope fish are included)
Mudfrog
11-12-2005, 9:17 AM
They will get up to 18" long. I have one in my bichir tank and they are real fun to watch. If you do get one be sure to have your tank extremely secure as they can find just about any crack / opening in the lid and escape.
viboy
11-12-2005, 12:08 PM
I have one in my 90 and it does just fine. As stated just make sure that the top of the tank is completely sealed. I put screen mesh on the back of my tank to cover any holes for filters etc.
Mine gets a regular diet of frozen bloodworms and the odd earthworm. He will also eat shrimp pellets but I don't know if they could survive on only dried food. They are nearly blind but have an incredible sense of smell. I break up the earthworms as the ropefish always tries to swallow the whole thing. I thought he was going to choak the first time. They have a very small mouth. As long as your other fish are bigger than a guppy they should survive. Give the ropefish a cave to live in and he will be happy.
Mine grew to over a foot since May 2004. Long but skinny fish. He is only about the diameter of my finger.
ghinksmon
11-12-2005, 4:05 PM
Below is another article. I tried one recently but it didn't last long. I attributed that to the lousy store I bought it from. Will try again soon.
http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/Jennings_ReedFish.html
Lady G
11-12-2005, 7:30 PM
Thanks guys, I will definitely check out the sites you suggested! As far as them jumping out, there happened to be a lady standing there and that is what she said, she lost hers because it jumped out of the tank!! I have a while to research before I decide, but I do think I want one, and yes my fish are bigger than guppies (thats why I need a bigger tank).
Thanks again,
Gin
My LFS had one jump out during the night. He said he thought it was a goner but put it back in the tank and it survived.
slick4hire
11-12-2005, 10:44 PM
IIRC, they are a puddle fish in the wild and when they get old enough, they actually develop an organ similar to a lung which allows them to survive quite some time out of the water.
I had two of them in my 38 gallon about 3 years ago and I loved them. Watching them tear apart frozen cubes of beefheart was very cool.