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October 24: Arrival of New Fresh Water Fish.

October 24: Arrival of New Marine Water Fish.

 

Included colors

Rope Fish

Rope Fish

Scientific Name: Erpetoichthys calabaricus

Price: Upon Request

Origin: West and Middle Africa

Family: Polypteridae

NOT AVAILABLE NOW

Other Names: Ropefish, Reedfish, Snake Fish, Snakefish, Dragon Eel

 

 

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.