Rope Fish

They’re visually stunning (both in color and body shape), peaceful, and easy to care for. This makes getting on a no-brainer for anyone looking to switching things up a bit! In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about rope fish care. Info like tank mates, diet, lifespan, and size are all in here!

Overview

The rope fish (scientific name: Erpetoichthys calabaricus) are a long freshwater fish that are often confused with an eel or snake. They originate from Central and West Africa in countries like Cameroon and Nigeria.

They prefer standing or slow-moving water that’s on the warm side. They thrive in both fresh or brackish (although most owners keep them in pure freshwater tanks). The Chiloango River and Ogun River are where you can find a high concentration of reed fish since these rivers perfectly meet their required water parameters.

One interesting thing about rope fish is the fact that they have both lungs and gills. This combination allows them to get oxygen in varying levels of water quality (and is partly why they’re so hardy).

As an owner, you likely won’t see them go to the surface to breathe too often since they only do that when the water quality is poor. This should never be the case as long as you’re doing your job.

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.

Besides these remarkable physical characteristics, the Rope Fish is an interesting fish with a lot of personality. It is a curious and peaceful nocturnal fish that does well with other larger, peaceful fish. Due to its poor eyesight and nocturnal habit, the Rope Fish may seem, at times, reserved or reclusive. However, the Rope Fish is a social fish that prefers the company of other Rope Fish. The ideal setup is a large aquarium capable of housing two or more Rope Fish.

The aquarium should be heavily planted with plenty of hiding nooks created with roots or driftwood. Because the Rope Fish tends to move snake-like at the bottom of the aquarium, a fine gravel or sand substrate is recommended. The Rope fish is a notorious escape artist that can also jump a great distance. It is essential that the aquarium is equipped with a tightly fitting lid without holes. Though the Rope Fish is primarily a freshwater species, the addition of some aquarium salt may be beneficial.

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.

Lifespan

The average rope fish lifespan is 15 to 20 years in captivity. This is a very impressive length of time which means you’ll likely have yours for a while!
It’s important to note that this is assuming that your rope fish is getting proper care. If they live in poor water quality or have an insufficient diet then they won’t live nearly as long.

Appearance

The appearance of the rope fish is one of the main things that makes this fish so unique. They look like an eel or a snake and are often mistaken for them by people who’ve never seen one before.

This is why the name rope fish (or reedfish) is so fitting. When you see them swimming it’s exactly what they look like! They have a slightly oval shape to them when you view them from the front, but it’s very subtle.

While most people get caught up on their long and thin body type, we’re big fans of their coloration and patterns. Rope fish have scales that are easily visible and create a very textured look. It has a very neat effect while they’re swimming too!

These fish tend to be an earthy/dark yellow color that can help them stay hidden in their natural habitats where the substrate and surrounding vegetation shares a lot of the same color properties.

Rope fish do have tiny pectoral fins, but not much else. They technically have dorsal fins but that presents itself as more of a small ridge than anything else.

Adult Size

The average rope fish size can reach just over two feet in length when fully grown. This makes for quite a sight while they swim and means that you’ll need to provide them with ample space to keep them comfortable (more on that in the following section).

Rope Fish Care

The Reed Fish is a snake-like species that is consistently popular with many oddball enthusiasts. These elongated fish are known from slow flowing rivers and even standing waters with relatively low oxygen content, where they live amongst labyrinthine reedy habitats. In addition to moving snake-wise over the substrate, they can also side-wind through the water column at a fairly rapid pace. As a nocturnal species, Reed Fish are most active during the night when they will spend time searching for and feeding on crustaceans, insects, and worms. An aquarium that houses this species should be spacious - ideally at least 5ft x 2ft x 2ft for adult specimens - and very well covered, as these fish are great escape artists. Ensure that any gaps where wires feed in to the aquarium are plugged securely with filter foam or mesh glued into place. The lid of the aquarium may also need to be weighted down. Reed Fish have the ability to breathe atmospheric air via their modified swim bladders (part of which functions as an accessory breathing organ to allow them to survive out of water for a time), so a small gap MUST be left between the surface of the water and the cover slides in order for the fish to come up to the surface and take air in. If the fish are denied regular access to air above the surface of the water, they may actually drown, so always run the tank with a dropped waterline.

The substrate should consist of soft sand as these fish spend a lot of time foraging about on the bottom of the tank, and may even submerge themselves completely beneath it if startled. Smooth water worn rocks and spindly driftwood can be used to create shady caves and there should be areas of dense planting with tall, hardy species such as Vallisneria and large Anubias or Aponogeton spp. Illumination should not be too bright, or if it is, it should be diffused via heavy planting. A blue moon light timed to come on just before the main lights switch off will allow you to view the night-time antics of these fascinating fish. The water should be filtered efficiently but gently, so that the fish do not have to contend with an overwhelming current. The Reed Fish is the sole representative of the Erpetoichthys genus, and is closely related to the Polypterus genus, both of which are considered to be the last surviving relatives of some very ancient, primitive species. As their eyesight is quite poor, Reed Fish rely on their excellent sense of smell in order to locate food items, and although carnivorous by nature, they are generally very peaceful, and can be kept successfully alongside other medium sized peaceable species. Avoid any tankmates which are small enough to fit into their mouths, as they will be predated upon overnight. Good companions could include some of the medium sized, relatively peaceful cichlid species such as Angelfish, Severums or Festivums, or large Trichogaster gouramis, and Synodontis catfish. Avoid any really boisterous species though, as otherwise they may outcompete your Reed Fish at feeding times. Gregarious by nature, keep Reed Fish in good sized groups. There are reports of a monster 90cm specimen having once been seen, but this has never been substantiated, a maximum length of 50cm being much more typical. Be aware that although Reed Fish are considered quite hardy and will acclimatise to a wide range of conditions, they do not handle swings in pH well at all. Likewise, nitrates should not be allowed to creep up, so ensure that small partial water changes are carried out on a regular basis. This species is recommended for advanced aquarists only. May also be seen on sale as the Rope Fish.

Rope fish care is something that any aquarist can manage, no matter how experienced they are. A lot of people think that because of their interesting appearance that they might be high-maintenance, but it’s really the exact opposite!

These fish are calm, peaceful, and hardy. In fact, assuming you have a large enough tank, we think they make great beginner fish.

However, you should still familiarize yourself with the basics of rope fish care before getting one. Even though they can handle a wide range of parameters and environments, your goal should always be to help them thrive and live the best lives possible.

Tank Size

The minimum recommended tank size for one rope fish is 50 gallons. These are large fish and need enough room to stay comfortable and live a stress-free life.

If you decide to keep multiple rope fish in the same tank you should add another 10-15 gallons for every extra fish. This will make sure they all have their own space and can stay out of each other’s way when necessary.

Water Parameters

Rope fish care is pretty forgiving when it comes to water parameters. With that being said, we always recommend aiming for the “sweet spot” to maximize their comfort and lifespan.

Water temperature: 72-82° F
pH levels: 6-7.5
Water hardness: 8-22 KH
You should always make sure to perform regular water level checks to ensure the conditions are suitable for your rope fish. While these fish are hardy and can handle a wide range of levels, they can be sensitive to shifts within that range.

Find your spot and do what you can to keep it as consistent as possible!

What To Put In Their Tank

The basic requirements of what to include in their environment are pretty straightforward. Rope fish aren’t a species that needs a perfect combination of things to function, but you should try to make them as comfortable as possible to keep their stress levels low.

Having a decent amount of plants in the tank is something that we recommend. In their natural habitat they’re used to navigating through vegetation and using it as a hiding place, so having it in their tank is a good idea.

You’ll also want to make sure they have a fair amount of rocks and hiding places available to them. Rope fish like to wedge themselves into thin spots for protection. Rocks, caves, and other decorations are all a good idea (without making things too crowded).

Lastly, go with a sandy substrate in their tank. The rivers and slow-moving waters where they’re from always have a nice soft bed. Anything hard like gravel can scratch or irritate their underside.

Common Possible Diseases

Rope fish are a hardy animal and aren’t burdened by any species-specific diseases. With that being said, there can get a lot of the usual illnesses that affect other freshwater fish (like ich).

It’s smart to periodically inspect your rope fish to make sure you don’t see any warning signs of illness. Spots, discoloration, or a sudden change in behavior can all indicate that something is wrong.

You should do everything you can to keep their water conditions consistent as well. Even though rope fish care is pretty easy when it comes to parameters and levels, these fish are prone to health complications if there’s a significant shift.

Food & Diet

These carnivores rarely take dried foods in captivity, so you must be prepared to offer them various meaty frozen foods. Smaller specimens will enjoy bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp etc. whereas larger specimens will take bigger foods such as Mysis shrimp, chopped krill/prawns/mussels, earthworms etc. Occasional specimens have been known to take sinking carnivore pellets (pre-soaked in aquarium water to prevent choking "“ Reed Fish are notorious for gulping food down), but this is not the norm. Always try and feed just before lights out, as this is when these fish are naturally most active.

Rope fish are carnivores which means you’ll need to give them meaty foods as a staple in their diet. This will ensure that they get an adequate amount of protein and nutrients (as well as enrichment).

Some of the best foods to give them are bloodworms, chopped meat, frozen meat-based food, insect larva, and beef hearts. Some owners will give them flakes and pellets to round out their diet, but the rope fish that have lived the longest have usually been fed a meaty diet.

Sometimes you might want to sprinkle in some live food into their diet as well. We like doing this for the sake of enrichment from time to time. While it’s not the most convenient option for you as an owner, it’s something your fish will appreciate.

Since rope fish are nocturnal we prefer to feed them once a day right before you go to bed. Some owners have conditioned their fish to feed during the day, but we like the idea of keeping things consistent with their natural feeding rhythm.

Behavior & Temperament

Rope fish are an interesting fish when it comes to their behavior. They are relatively active (especially at night since they’re nocturnal), but also like to lounge.

These fish like to hang out near the bottom half of the aquarium, although they aren’t pure bottom-feeders. This is because they’re comfortable swimming to the surface in order to breathe when necessary (you won’t see this behavior that often).

Because of their long body type, it can be quite the treat to watch them swim around in your tank. A lot of owners say that even on days where their fish aren’t particularly active, it seems like they’re busy because the times that they decide to swim really stand out.

In terms of temperament, rope fish are a peaceful species. They don’t want to cause any trouble with other fish and will generally mind their own business.

Rope Fish Tank Mates

There are a number of rope fish tank mates that you can pick from if you want to keep these fish in a community tank.

Here are some great tank mate options: Rainbow sharks / Bala sharks / Pictus catfish / Dwarf gourami / Angelfish / Kuhli loaches / Honey gourami

This list is just a small sample of possible rope fish tank mates we recommend. As long as you don’t try to keep them with very small fish (like neon or ember tetras) they won’t mistake them for food.

It’s important to make sure you don’t pair them with aggressive fish either. Since rope fish are peaceful and just want to mind their own business, large aggressive fish can definitely hurt them. Fish like African cichlids, Oscar fish, or the Jack Dempsey fish are all good examples of tank mates to avoid.

Breeding

Challenging - would make an excellent breeding project for the serious, dedicated hobbyist. Until fairly recently, little was known about the reproductive habits of Reed Fish. However, an established group of fish spawned successfully in captivity during the 1990s. These fish were estimated to be around 15 years old, so it seems that this species may take some time to reach sexual maturity. During courtship, the male and female swim parallel to one another, in a graceful fashion, usually through clumps of plants. The male will make jerking sideways movements with his head, towards the female"™s body. If she is ready to spawn, she will stop swimming and the male will wrap his anal fin around her genital opening.

Both fish will remain motionless whilst a few eggs are deposited in a cup formed by the male"™s anal fin, and there they will be fertilised before being dispersed by powerful movements of his tail. The eggs, 2.1-2.6mm in diameter, are adhesive and will stick to the plants. This procedure is repeated many times until the female is spent of eggs. The adults exhibit no parental care. Larvae hatch after approximately 70 hours, but remain attached to the vegetation whilst they absorb their yolk sacs. Some 2.5-3 weeks later they will begin feeding. At this stage they have external gills with many branches and resemble salamander larvae (these external gills are lost as the fish grows). In the wild, these fish are known to spawn throughout the year, but with a peak of heightened activity once during the year.

Breeding rope fish is something that basically never happens in a home aquarium setting. With that being said, it doesn’t stop people from trying it occasionally.

If you’re going to try this you’ll need to increase the water temperature to mimic the warm seasons when rope fish naturally reproduce. Nothing on in this section is something you can skip, you’ll need all the help you can get!

Make sure the breeding tank is well-planted as well. You need to send as many signals as possible, so including tall plants like Hornwort or water wisteria will help.

You’ll see the male and female begin to interact by exploring the tank together and staying very close to one another. This will proceed until the female is ready to deposit her eggs for the make to fertilize.

If you find success and the babies hatch you should make sure to remove them and place them in another tank to ensure their safety.

Conclusion

Rope fish are incredibly unique and fun freshwater fish to own. They’re easy to care for, look amazing, and won’t cause trouble in your tank.