Moderate

Rope Fish

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Erpetoichthys calabaricus

Complete Rope Fish care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 55 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Rope Fish

Quick Answer

Rope Fish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus) is a long, slender fish from West Africa. It requires a minimum 55 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 24-28°C. This carnivore occupies the bottom zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Rope Fish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus) is a long, slender fish from West Africa. It is a member of the bichir family and has paired lungs, allowing it to breathe atmospheric air.

Setup

A 55-gallon or larger tank with a tight-fitting lid (they can climb!). Soft, sandy substrate, driftwood, and caves. Low to moderate water flow.

Feeding

Carnivorous; eats meaty foods: bloodworms, earthworms, shrimp, fish pieces, and sinking carnivore pellets. Feed at night as they are nocturnal.

Compatibility

Peaceful with fish too large to eat. Keep in groups of 3+. Tankmates: Congo Tetras, larger rainbowfish, Severums, catfish. Avoid small fish (<2 inches).

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Tank Position
Bottom
Water Temp
24-28°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Carnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Rope Fish should be kept together?
Maintain a group of 3 to 5 individuals in a tank of at least 75 gallons (284 liters) with a footprint of 48x18 inches (120x45 cm). Rope fish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus) are highly social, nocturnal primitive fish that enjoy resting together in tight clusters or hollow logs. Groups under 3 cause severe stress and hiding. Provide a completely secure, tight-fitting lid with no gaps over 0.2 inches (5 mm), as they are escape artists that can slide through small openings. Use smooth sand substrate and PVC tubes as refuges.
What are the exact water parameters for Rope Fish?
Target pH 6.5 - 7.5, General Hardness 5 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 4 - 10 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 120 - 300 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 250 - 600 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 82°F (22°C - 28°C). They require pristine water with low nitrates (<10 ppm) and excellent biological filtration. Maintain weekly 30% water changes. Use a canister filter with gentle flow (strong currents stress them). Provide sand substrate and multiple hiding tubes. Ammonia must be 0 ppm; they are sensitive to organic waste. Avoid copper.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Rope Fish?
They are strict nocturnal predators with poor eyesight, requiring 60% protein, 15% fat, 25% plant matter. Feed frozen bloodworms, blackworms, chopped earthworms, krill, and sinking carnivore pellets using feeding tongs after lights out. They rarely accept dry flakes. Feed 3 times weekly. Medication alert: Extremely sensitive to copper (0.05 mg/L lethal) and formalin. Scaleless; use malachite green at quarter dose (0.025 mg/L). Praziquantel is safe. Avoid salt (tolerance <2 ppt). Quarantine with metronidazole at half-strength.
How to breed Rope Fish in captivity?
Breeding is extremely rare and has rarely been achieved. Requires a large group (5-8) in 150+ gallons with dense floating plants. Simulate rainy season: Lower pH to 6.0 using RO water, raise temperature to 82°F (28°C), perform 50% water change with cool (68°F/20°C) soft water over 4 hours. They are egg-scatterers among floating plants. Female releases 500-1,000 eggs. Remove parents after spawning. Eggs hatch in 5-7 days at 78°F (25.5°C). Fry require infusoria for 7 days, then baby brine shrimp. Not feasible for home aquariums.

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