Ropefish Care

[g2orange]

Hello,
I'm new to monsterfishkeepers. I've been keeping a 29 gallon freshwater aquarium for almost 2 years now. My 8 yr old son wants a 75 gallon aquarium for Christmas mainly so that he can keep a ropefish. I've read other posts about ropefish. I really want to make sure the conditions in the tank are right for the fish. I'll keep reading other posts that have covered this. But I would appreciate very much if others could help answer a few questions. Is it ok to keep just one ropefish? Or do we need to keep more than one? What other fish can we keep with ropefish? (I read that some fish can be aggressive toward the ropefish.) My son and I will be setting up a new tank, but would it be ok to put ropefish in our 29 gallon freshwater tank now and then move them to the 75 gallon tank after it cycles? (Our local pet store has small ropefish for sale that are about 8 inches long) Are there any references/materials out there that might help with the specifics of what ropefish need? I've found some general info like ammonia needs to be zero, nitrites need to be zero, nitrates less than 20, brackish water, seal the tank but I wish there were a ropefish care for dummies book out there. I read that these fish are taken from their natural environment. This makes it even more important to make sure the conditions are right for them.

I appreciate any help and responses.

L

 

[spadoc79]

they are easy to care for...i keep my 1 in a 240g with some angelfish tetras, synodontis, madtom, crayfish, spiney eel....he comes out mainly after i turn the lights off, temp is at 80* and i have several different plants and some rocks in the tank so he has plenty of places to hide. mine is about 12". i plan on getting acouple more since they do well with other opefish.

 

[aclockworkorange]

They're not brackish to my knowledge...

 

[g2orange]

Ok thanks. The sales associate at the pet store told me they like brackish water. And that I should keep 1 tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons water. I like to take note of what the sales associates say and then do more research too. Should the aquarium have no salt at all? Thanks for responding.

Hey spadoc 79, I bet your 250g is awesome. Do you keep aquarium salt in your water?

 

[andyroo]

ignore the salesman- sounds like a hack. Always do your own research and ask questions of people who are not trying to, thus motivated by trying to sell you something.
Aged system with lots of plants. No salt except to treat illness. Make sure tank has tight-fitting lid- these fellas are notorious escape artists. No gaps, even where pipes come in and out. Packing tape is your friend.

 

[Pigeonblood]

Have a rope in a 125,never had any problems... nocturnal... scavengers..easy....hhmmm thats about it. I have a pic somewhere ill see if i can pull it out

 

[Pigeonblood]

 

[C L O W N K N I F E]

Ya, never trust a sales associate at a fish/pet store...most are just looking to sell you more things (like salt). You do not need salt at all for a ropefish except to maybe treat an illness. I suggest you always do your research on the fish you're looking to buy like your doing now. Some sales people will tell you the stupidest things. Anyway, like andyroo said, make sure the lid is tight on your 29 gal and the 75g when you get it. Make sure there are NO ways for the rope fish to get out, this is extremely important because they are natural escape artists!!

Yes you can house it with other rope fish; they'll do fine together. & yes you can house them in a 29g for the time being until the 75g is all set up and ready to go. Do they need 'brackish' water? No.

Will some tankmates not get along with the rope fish or be aggressive towards the rope fish? Of course, that's why you should only keep them with other peaceful fish (because they're peaceful themselves). Other peaceful fish you could house them with include, but not limited to: tetras, discus, angelfish, gouramis, & eels with same temperament such as spiney eels and peacock eels.

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

Is it ok to keep just one ropefish? Or do we need to keep more than one?

Ropefish can be kept alone. However they are sociable creatures and I definitely recommend keeping them in groups of 3.
They would definitely come out more often Mine doesn't really come out that often.

What other fish can we keep with ropefish? (I read that some fish can be aggressive toward the ropefish.)

Ropefish are generally peaceful fish and can be kept with any non-aggressive fish. However they are still predators so make sure the fish isn't small enough for the ropefish to consider as a potential meal. I find that upperjaw bichirs are good tankmates for ropefishes.

My son and I will be setting up a new tank, but would it be ok to put ropefish in our 29 gallon freshwater tank now and then move them to the 75 gallon tank after it cycles?

Yes, no matter how hardy a fish is, the tank must be completely cycled before introducing any fishes. Ropefish need a minimum 50g tank, but as always the bigger the tank the better. An 8" ropefish is still considered small as they can grow much longer. So it should do fine in the 29g temporarily.

I've found some general info like ammonia needs to be zero, nitrites need to be zero, nitrates less than 20, brackish water

Ropefish are true freshwater fishes. Never add salt into your tank other than for medication purposes.
You would risk creating salt-resistant ich.

I read that these fish are taken from their natural environment. This makes it even more important to make sure the conditions are right for them.

I'm pretty sure that ropefish has been successfully bred in captivity. Do find out from your LFS if they are CB or WC. A WC ropefish has a higher chance of getting bichir worms attached to their bodies. Treat those parasites with appropriate medicine before introducing it to your main tank.

Are there any references/materials out there that might help with the specifics of what ropefish need?

Maybe head over to the polypterus section might help...

 

[aclockworkorange]

I would do a biotope, which is a tank that mimics the environment they'd be found in nature in. Try doing a bit of research on ropefish biotopes.