Rope/reed Fish Acting Strange?

[rainydayz]

I have two Rope or Reed fish, one I have had for a few weeks and had to get another because his friend died, so the new rope fish I have had a few days. I can not really tell the two apart so I'm not sure if which fish it is that I am worried about. I was under the impression they liked to hide alot. I have a tall fake plant in the very corner of the tank and my my rope fish is hanging out in it. Now I am not sure if this is normal or it is using this plant to hold itself up. The rope fish that died would prop himself against things before he died. I may just be paranoid but I want to know if others fish like to swim and entangle themselves in the plant!!!!!

 

[england]

I wouldnt worry, my rope used to hide in the floating plants in my tank, or down the side of the filter, or entwining himself through a pipe in and out of a ceramic chest and tail back around to its face....nutters they are, very comically, quite active, better in groups so im told,but i could never find anymore locally so got 1...
However to eliminate things, whats water readings? tank temp? how longs it been set up? tank mates?

 

[reeeedfish]

I've got two reeeedfishes and more on the way. One of mine was looking sickly recently and was hanging on wood and rocks but it turns out it was because my water conditions were HORRIBLE cause I had negelected my aquarium. Once I did a 75% change and later 20%'s, he was fine and he is now very lively.

Like nelly said, we need tank size, tank mates, and water conditions to truly help you. However, I strongly recommend a 75% water change with a gravel/sand vacumming. It saved my fella! Good luck though!

 

[Squidward]

I have 4 - really fantastic fish. They hide behind a pile of bogwood, but come out for a "look see" every now and then.

If I do a big tank clean out, and move the wood. It seems to unsettle them for a day or two. And will then often spend some time hiding in the floating plants. But they soon settle down.

I suspect this is your new fish just getting used to its surroundings.

 

[rainydayz]

I have a new question now but as for the old question, the rope fish seems to not be hiding in the plant anymore. My water is perfect good temp, ammonia, ph, nitrate and nitrite. I have had the tank for a few months now and it has had no problems so far. Is it possible my new rope fish does not like my old ropefish. They do not seem to be overly friendly and the new one which is a bit bigger constintily is biting my old ones tail, mostly at feeding but other times also. I saw them swimming wildly together and they may have been fighting or........ hmm... I do not think they really breed in tanks so I am leaning to them fighting. I was thinking about getting a 3rd and maybe it would ease the tension but I am not sure my tank is large enough. It is a 40 gallon.

 

[reeeedfish]

Yes, it is quite possible, if you've kept a ropefish by itself for a long time it becomes territorial. This happened to me and my old ropefish took a huge chunk out of the new one. But now that they are used to each other, they are very happy and play together. It just takes some time! Good luck!

 

[rainydayz]

Thank you everyone!

 

[reeeedfish]

No problem, and good luck!