Rope fish care : with 8 easy stape

Rope fish, also known as reed fish (Erpertoichthys calabaricus), is a type of freshwater fish belonging to the Bichir fish family. Native to Africa, these fish are found on the Chiloango River in Congo and the Ogun River in Nigeria. They are ideal for community aquariums, which contain non-aggressive species. Taking care of the rope fish is not very difficult because of their mood. Regular feeding and cleaning of the tank, as well as some provisions to keep them in the aquarium, will keep your fish healthy and will give him a long life.

How to identify a rope fish

To identify a rope fish is very simple. It has a long, slender body with a fluffy pattern, making it look like a braided strand of rope. It can reach about 17 centimeters long and the fish does not have the presence of ventral fins.In the base of their pectoral fins has black spots. Dorsal fins are divided into 10-12 parts; Because these fins are usually kept flat, it's hard to see them. Their anal fins are also hard to see. It is important to note that the sex can be determined by studying the anal fins. The anal fins of mail fishes are wider and separated by 12-15 rays, usually separated from the caudal fin. While the anal fin of the female fish is separated by only 8-12 rays, eventually merge with the caudal fin. The fish can be green or gray, with yellow or white underparts.

Tank

The most important factor of a fish care is to establish a suitable habitat.The rope fish can reach 16 inches long, so require spacious tanks. A 45 to 55 gallon tank is suitable for rope fish up to 12 inches long, but a larger tank will be needed for larger fish. Your rope fish needs a lot of hiding places to feel safe, so the tank needs to be planted with rockery, deep-rooted plants and driftwood. Avoid over-planting - be sure to leave some swimming areas open. Snake-like Ropefish tend to slide along the bottom of the tank. So use gravel or sand for the substrate. While rope fish is a freshwater species, adding sea salt can be beneficial. Maintain water temperature between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

Habit Security

Another important factor to consider when purchasing the tank is to have a safe liner for the tank. The fish escape attitude means that even a small gap in the cover can become a means of escape. You should be able to lock the tank lid, because the rope fish has been known to push even closed lids open! Open filter systems can be deadly traps. Therefore, you should ensure these areas properly before releasing the fish from the rope in the tank. Good news is that if the fish escapes from the tank, it will not die immediately. His lungs will keep him alive for a long time, which will save your rope fish.

Decoration

Although rope fish can survive in unfurnished ponds, it is advisable that the tank has a thick layer of fine aquarium sand on the bottom. Try to avoid pebbles or large stones. The tank should also have a large part of the tank with aquatic plants, some of which should be rooted and the others floating. Java fern, amazon's sword and crystalwort are some of the favorite plant species for this purpose. In addition, you should have hidden spots such as driftwood, or commercial caves and shelters. It is also important to leave considerable free space for the fish to swim freely.

Light & Oxygen

Ropefish like living in dark, marshy areas, and as such, the tanks should have enough light for the plants to grow. The gills of a rope fish are not very effective, and the fish relies heavily on the breathing of atmospheric oxygen through its lungs to survive. Therefore, there should always be at least one inch of free space between the water surface and the tank lid. This will allow the fish to return regularly to the surface to breathe some air. Failure to do so can put one's life in danger.

Water Condition

Water quality is an important factor in extending the life of a rope fish. Ideally, the water temperature in the tank should be between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0. The excessive level of ammonia in the water is also harmful to the fish. The maximum concentration of ammonia in a healthy environment should not exceed 8 ppm at any time. A good filtration system and weekly water changes of 20% are very important. It is also important to clean the sand and bottom plants from organic waste, such as rope feces and uneaten food, during these water changes. It is always a good idea to have devices like a pH indicator and a thermometer attached to the tank before the fish are put inside.

Diet

Another important factor of rope fish care is the diet.Due to poor vision, rope fish depend on their keen sense of smell to locate food. Young rope fish need two small meals every day, while adults need a bigger meal once every two days. Most rope fish prefer to eat live food, and although they will be reluctant to eat commercial fish-based food at first, they may learn to eat flakes or small meatballs. Live shrimp, worms, larvae or tiny pieces of fish are appreciated by rope fishermen. However, because of their segmented nature, the bodies of shrimp and worms can break while eating and polluting the tank, making it important to change the water often. To avoid the problem, try to live feeding fish like guppies. Ropefish tend to swallow their entire food, so stout food pieces can pose a choking hazard. Therefore, it is best to soak and soften the flakes or granules in a bowl of water before feeding them.

Tank Mates

While rope fish may seem reserved, preferring to hide among rocks and driftwood, emerging only after dark, it is actually a social fish. You can include other medium to large species in its tank, as long as they are not an aggressive species. However, ropefish generally prefer the company of other ropefish, and up to six fish can coexist peacefully in the same aquarium. Rope fishes are not usually territorial. They can be seen gathering and hiding together as a group when housed in the same tank.

Problems and Diseases

The rope fish has a long life span of 15-20 years. Therefore, they need a dedicated owner for their care. Ropes usually resist most pests and water-borne diseases. However, poor water quality, poor nutrition or the introduction of diseased fish can cause the following health problems.

• Dropsy

This bacterial disease usually occurs when tank conditions are poor and may give the impression that fish are swollen due to excessive release of body fluids. This disease must be treated early, otherwise it will be fatal. Commercial treatments are available for this disease in good pet stores or specialty stores.

• Cotton mouth

It is a bacterial infection that usually remains around the mouth of the fish. You will notice a cottony mushroom like growth on the lips and around the mouth of the rope fish, and there will be a marked decrease in its appetite. A consultation with a specialist veterinarian can give you the appropriate medication for this condition.

• Pop Eye

As the name suggests, this bacterial disease brings the eyes out of his head. Sometimes the eyes can be cloudy. Poor food or water can cause this disease. Although difficult to treat, an appropriate antibiotic drug may be helpful.

• Swim Bladder Disease

It is the most common disease affecting rope fish. The common symptoms are abnormal swimming, lethargy and loss of balance while swimming. Unfortunately, there is no safe cure for this disease, and it is particularly deadly. It is important to immediately quarantine diseased fish in a separate container to prevent the spread of the disease.

• Velvet

This is a parasitic disease, which can be fatal if left untreated. The symptoms are aggressive swimming by the fish, a yellow or white powder on the body and difficulty breathing. Raising the water temperature slightly, adding a little sea salt to the water, and a commercial medicine, can cure this condition.

Rope Fish Breeding Guide

Rope fish-breeding is a very difficult task in captivity, and most rope fish are caught in the wild. However, if you have a couple of male and female, there is a small chance to breed the babies successfully, with the following procedure

1. The important thing to remember is that you increase the chances of getting fertile eggs if you have a good amount of plants in your aquarium because rope fish like to mate between vegetation.
2. After mating, eggs usually stick to surrounding plants and rocks. As parents can eat eggs, you can remove the eggs with the plants to which they are stuck, and transfer them to another tank with ideal water conditions.
3. After 3-4 days, eggs that have been abundantly hatched in small creatures resembling tadpoles, which remain stick to their environment unless disturbed. Babies do not need to be fed during this stage because they have their bags of yolk attached as a source of food.
4. After about 2 weeks, the babies will have grown slightly, their yolk sac will be almost completely absorbed by the babies. Now, babies should be ready to accept food. Use tiny foods like baby brain shrimp and clean up any debris or uneaten food after feeding.
5. When baby rope fish begin to move, you have to separate them from each other, because larger ones can eat small babies. You can put them together when they are a few inches long.
6. It is important that water conditions, food and tank safety are at optimal levels throughout the process, to increase the chances of success.