rope fish
- Thread starter bettagurl
- Start date
Rope fish, Erpetoichthys calabaricuscan - can be a great addition to any large aquarium with proper care. Rope fish should be in a minimum 300 liter (75-80 gallons) tank. Rope fish are very social and do best in the company of their own species. They do best in groups of 5 or 6.
They can grow to be 90 cm in the wild, but in capitivity, 16 inches is average. They will do fine with any fish bigger than their mouths, anything smaller will most likely be eaten up! They can be fed a large variety of items: beefheart, bloodworms, earthworms, frogs, crabs, shrimp, feeder fish, etc...anything meaty.
They should not be kept with belicose species such as with oscars, red devils, or any other predatory/territoral type large fish. Ideal temperature should be between 22-26°C but fair well in warmer temps, and pH level slightly acidic at 6.5-7.5. Rope fish are fairly hardy. There have been no recorded cases of them breeding in captivity.
They do require some hiding place like rocks, plants and caves. Also sexing ropefish is fairly easy. Males have more "spikes" on their top fins than females, and they appear to be more olive in color. Males generally have between 9-12 "spikes" and females less then 10 with a more of ochre color.
They can grow to be 90 cm in the wild, but in capitivity, 16 inches is average. They will do fine with any fish bigger than their mouths, anything smaller will most likely be eaten up! They can be fed a large variety of items: beefheart, bloodworms, earthworms, frogs, crabs, shrimp, feeder fish, etc...anything meaty.
They should not be kept with belicose species such as with oscars, red devils, or any other predatory/territoral type large fish. Ideal temperature should be between 22-26°C but fair well in warmer temps, and pH level slightly acidic at 6.5-7.5. Rope fish are fairly hardy. There have been no recorded cases of them breeding in captivity.
They do require some hiding place like rocks, plants and caves. Also sexing ropefish is fairly easy. Males have more "spikes" on their top fins than females, and they appear to be more olive in color. Males generally have between 9-12 "spikes" and females less then 10 with a more of ochre color.
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Mine was 16 inches before it passed away during a move. Was pretty upset... I had to hold him for a week at my store in a little holding tank before I had a chance to re-set up my tank. Pic of him as my avatar.
I have a rope fish also, and he is about 8-9" I'm sure so yes they get bigger than 6". It is very peacefull and stay's hidden a majority of the time (in my driftwood), and they are VERY good jumpers so yes keep the tank sealed they can even get out of a small space like around your filter. Mine loves to eat small ghost shrimp, baby guppies, worms...a worm is the only thing I actually got to see him catch and eat, but you alway's know when they have eaten something cause like a snake they have a lump in their belly. It is a very fun fish to have, people comment on it all the time, and I love watching him swim around. If you have a big enough tank I say get one!!