Rope Fish
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Scientific Name: Erpetoichthys calabaricus Price: Upon Request Origin: West and Middle Africa Family: Polypteridae NOT AVAILABLE NOW |
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Other Names: Ropefish, Reedfish, Snake Fish, Snakefish, Dragon Eel |
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Technical Info
Temperature: 25 - 27 ℃
pH: 7 - 8
GH: 10 - 20
Max size: 40 cm
Min Tank size: 400 Ltr
Position in Aqua: Bottom swimmer
Description
The Rope Fish is a fascinating and primitive-looking fish related to Bichirs. The Rope Fish has many unusual physical features including a flattened head, elongated eel-like body, and thick bony scales that form a distinct reticulated pattern. In addition, the Rope Fish has a modified swim bladder that it uses like a pair of lungs. Found in slow-moving or standing water with low dissolved oxygen content, the Rope Fish relies on this physical trait to gulp fresh air at the water's surface to obtain vital oxygen.
Food
The Rope Fish is a carnivorous fish that requires live food in its diet. Chopped meats, beef heart, insect larva, as well as tubifex, bloodworms and earthworms may also be included in the Rope Fish diet.
Breeding
Unrecorded in aquaria.
Compatible with
Not to be trusted with tankmates it can fit in its mouth but is relatively peaceful otherwise. It can even be maintained in small groups as it is not particularly territorial. Good tankmates include Synodontis species, larger characins and cichlids such as Severum, Angelfish, some Tilapia species etc. It shouldn’t be kept with very vigorous species, however, as it may be outcompeted at feednig time.
Note
The male fish has 12-14 dorsal fin rays while the female has only 9-12. When inbreeding condition the anal fin of the male swells and thickens.