Rope Fish Eating Habits

[ksoule]

I have had a rope fish for about 2 mos. Everything was going fine until recently. My rope fish's belly looks as if he is eating gravel from my substrate. He has 3 large lumps in his belly and reminds me of a snake who just ate a rodent. Any suggestions on how to help him? I thought he may have eaten his tank mates but no fish are missing.

Thanks....

 

[Lupin]

Any pics of the rope? :welcome: to AC!

 

[beblondie]

If it has swallowed gravel here are the options
A. it regurgatates it
B. it passes thru
Ropefish are members of the family Polypteridae and really should be kept on sand or very fine crushed gravel.Either of these two substrates elimanates Possible intestinal blockage by ingesteding gravel-Anne

 

[ksoule]

Do you think it could have happened because his food drops - blood worms and frozen Krill- falls on the substrate and he digs in to get small pieces. He tends to be a bit shy so I have to feed him in his cave to ensure he eats...

 

[ksoule]

Rope ifsh pic

Pic could be better.. If you look closely, you can see bumps right under exposed spikes on his top side. I couldn't get a pic of his underside where you can see it looks substrate.