| Ropefish or Erpetoichthys calabaricus belong to | | | | grow up to 36 inches long. It is common for them |
| the family bichir. It is the sole member of the | | | | to reach a length in excess of 16 inches in |
| genus Erpetoichthys. The rope fish is endemic to | | | | aquariums. If you intend to keep one you will |
| West Africa. Their natural habitat stretches from | | | | need a large aquarium. |
| Nigeria to the Congo. | | | | Despite their creepy appearance and size they |
| Their biological classification is a source of | | | | are not at all an aggressive creature. They are, in |
| amusement. In Greek erpeton means creepy | | | | fact, quite docile. The ropefish is timid enough to |
| thing while ichthys means fish. Put it together and | | | | be harassed by more aggressive species, even |
| you have one creepy fish. These eel-like | | | | fish much smaller than it is. They will, however, |
| creatures are commonly referred to as reedfish | | | | swallow their smaller tank-mates whole when |
| or snakefish throughout the world. In the U.S. | | | | feeding time roll around. They will fend for |
| they are marketed under the name ropefish. | | | | themselves just fine in a very large community |
| The creepy thing fish evolved in low oxygenated | | | | aquarium devoid of predators and bullies. |
| habitats. Not only is it capable of breathing | | | | The ropefish is a primarily nocturnal species. You |
| oxygen. It can survive without any water at all | | | | need to provide nocturnal species with caves or |
| for intermediate periods of time. Unlike many | | | | hollow aquarium décor to rest in during the |
| bi-breathers they are not a member of the | | | | day. They also feel more at home in a heavily |
| suborder Anabantoidei. This suborder covers an | | | | planted environment. You will want to house them |
| array of bi-oxygen breathers such as betta fish | | | | in a well sealed aquarium. Because of their ability |
| and gouramis who use a lung-like organ known as | | | | to survive out of water, they have a tendency |
| a labyrinth to consume atmospheric oxygen. | | | | to venture outside of their aquariums. |
| Ropefish do not have a labyrinth. They consume | | | | Ropefish thrive in slightly acidic, medium-hard |
| atmospheric oxygen in a manner unique to their | | | | water. Acceptable temperature ranges are72-82 |
| species. | | | | °F. |
| The ropefish takes in airborne oxygen through its | | | | Ropefish are carnivorous. They are not known to |
| gills. Air travels down their esophagus and into | | | | breed in captivity. You will be purchasing a species |
| their swim bladder. Their modified swim balder | | | | that has recently been removed from its native |
| absorbs the oxygen from the air and introduces it | | | | environment. In their natural habitat they survive |
| into the bloodstream. | | | | on worms, crustaceans, insects and smaller fish. |
| Ropefish possess other unique traits. They lack | | | | They are accustomed to dining on live food and |
| ventral fins but have multiple dorsal fins on their | | | | may demonstrate a reluctance to eat anything |
| back. They also have two sensory organs that | | | | else when they are first introduced to an |
| extend from their nostrils. These are used to sniff | | | | aquarium. They will readily devour tubifex and |
| out their food. | | | | bloodworms. Given time they may learn to |
| The ropefish is a large species. In the wild they will | | | | tolerate frozen and freeze-dried food. |