Rope fish

[sunscream1488]

Just got a rope fish 2 days ago and he seems happy, but doing alot of swimming and didn't know if this is normal behavior for them? He seems happy and very active but thought they usually just find a place to hide and stay there kinda like my bichir does? I have a video but won't let me send it. He just swims around the tank most of the day. I have tons of hiding places , plants , caves, wood, etc.

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[PheonixKingZ]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!

Yes, that is very normal for a rope fish to swim a lot. How big is your tank? (Gallons)

And it is normal for a new fish to hide in and around plants/driftwood, just because they are getting used to their surroundings.

 

[Back in the fold]

That's a different looking fish. Don't think I've ever heard of it or seen one. Are they predatory ? He has a hungry look in his eye. Cool though.

 

[sunscream1488]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!

Yes, that is very normal for a rope fish to swim a lot. How big is your tank? (Gallons)

And it is normal for a new fish to hide in and around plants/driftwood, just because they are getting used to their surroundings.

Hey, thank you! I thought he was doing fine but just wanted to make sure this was normal behavior. The tank is 125 gallon and been running for 2.5 years. I have a ornate bichir in there that I've had for about 3.5 years and he does not like this new fish, he already bite him for being in his area. Lol

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[Jan Cavalieri]

Peaceful fish, they like the company of other Rope fish. They grow 1' 3" - is your tank big enough? They also need live carnivorous food rather than dried. So you really need a 50 gallon tank or larger. Your pictures are so cute. The look that one fish in the cave is giving him is like "what the he^^ is that??? I have two Dojo Loach that looks nearly identical but only grows to about 4" (I question that because mine are 4" and appear to still be growing but I don't expect them to get to 1'. The two sleep next to each other (or on top of each other - good friends).

 

[Jan Cavalieri]

Just saw the picture - your tank is plenty big enough wow.

 

[sunscream1488]

That's a different looking fish. Don't think I've ever heard of it or seen one. Are they predatory ? He has a hungry look in his eye. Cool though.

He's related to the Bichir, I have and ornate bichir in my tank too. They're polyptrae. They have lungs and gills and can live outside of the tank for hours. This is a rope or Reed fish and I'll attach a picture of my Bichir. He is predatory and will eat anything that will fit in his mouth. My bichir is really fat, they usually areant that fat but he eats alot and just lays around all day. I guess anyone would get fat if they did that though [emoji28]

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[sunscream1488]

Just saw the picture - your tank is plenty big enough wow.

Thanks and yeah but I'm hoping he will take to carnivore pellets like my bichir did, if not then I feed my other fish raw shrimp, flake food and if I need to then I'll go buy some worms. Lol

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[Kritastrophe]

Reminds me of snakes. Not for me! Very cool looking tank, rope fish, and Bichir though!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Thanks and yeah but I'm hoping he will take to carnivore pellets like my bichir did, if not then I feed my other fish raw shrimp, flake food and if I need to then I'll go buy some worms. Lol

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Wow! That tank is stunning! I also love the Bichir, so unique!

 

[sunscream1488]

Wow! That tank is stunning! I also love the Bichir, so unique!

Thank you! I can never get enough compliments on my tank lol. Took a lot of time and money so makes it worth it that other people love it too. I bought that Bichir as a "baby" he was only about a inch and a half long I think and 3 and a half years later he's 12 inches long and very healthy. I'm hoping my rope fish can be that healthy too! Just maybe not as fat! [emoji23]

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[Back in the fold]

That is an awesome aquarium. Spectacular. I researched the rope fish and it appears you have the perfect set up. As for his food, the source I read says that chopped earthworms are liked by them. It seems they locate food mostly by smell. That Bichir is awesome. You have a very nice aquarium and certainly very nice fish.

 

[Jackward12]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!

Yes, that is very normal for a rope fish to swim a lot. How big is your tank? (Gallons)

And it is normal for a new fish to hide in and around plants/driftwood, just because they are getting used to their surroundings.

It's normal they are worse than kids they never settle if they do settle your lucky if it's 5 minutes I have two independent they drive me insane watching them

 

[FishGuest5123]

Love the tank! I’ve been wanting 125G but no space for it. Yours is beautiful!

 

[Back in the fold]

Love the tank! I’ve been wanting 125G but no space for it. Yours is beautiful!

That's my dream. A six foot tank. Totally awesome. I've seen several pictures of people's 125's on this forum and every one is different and every one is awesome and great. Must be something about the size. You can really replicate nature so much better with more room.