Ropefish Care Guide
The ropefish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus), also known as the reedfish, is one of the most fascinating oddball fish you can keep. With a long, snake-like body, an ancient lineage, and a calm, curious personality, it brings a real sense of the unusual to a peaceful community of larger, gentle tankmates. Ropefish are hardy in many ways but have a few specific needs that catch new keepers off guard, so this guide walks through tank setup, water conditions, diet, temperament, and tankmates to help yours thrive.
Ropefish at a Glance
Ropefish are members of the bichir family and are among the few fish that can breathe atmospheric air, gulping from the surface using a primitive lung. They grow long over time and are nocturnal hunters, so they are most active in the evening and after lights-out. They are peaceful toward fish too large to be eaten, but their personality is best described as a calm, slow-moving explorer that loves to weave through plants and decor.
Tank Setup
Because they grow long and appreciate room to stretch out, ropefish do best in a longer, larger footprint tank rather than a tall one. Give them a soft substrate so they can rest and nose around without scratching their bellies, and our aquarium substrate guide can help you choose. Provide plenty of caves, driftwood, PVC tubes, and plants for hiding; live plants also add cover, and our list of easy beginner plants is a good starting point. If you are planning a larger setup, see our stocking ideas for a 75-gallon tank or a 55-gallon tank.
The Most Important Rule: A Tight Lid
Ropefish are escape artists. They are notorious for finding any small gap and slipping out of the tank, so a tightly fitted, fully sealed lid is non-negotiable. Cover even small openings around cords and filter intakes, because a ropefish can squeeze through surprisingly tiny spaces. This is the single most common way keepers lose these fish, so it is worth getting right before you ever add one.
Water Conditions and Filtration
Aim for stable, warm tropical water within typical community ranges rather than chasing exact numbers, and always add ropefish to a fully established, cycled aquarium. If you are new to the process, our guide on how to cycle a new aquarium explains the nitrogen cycle step by step. Because they are larger, messier fish, strong, reliable filtration and regular water changes help keep conditions clean; see our overview of the best filters for large aquariums. Ropefish can be sensitive when first introduced, so take your time acclimating them using the steps in our guide to acclimating new fish.
Diet and Feeding
Ropefish are carnivores with a slow, deliberate feeding style and poor eyesight, so they hunt largely by smell. Offer meaty foods such as frozen bloodworms, earthworms, and chunks of fish or shrimp, and feed in the evening when they are active so faster tankmates do not steal everything first. Our comparison of frozen vs freeze-dried vs pellet foods can help you build a varied menu, and our notes on the best foods for bottom feeders are relevant for sinking options.
Temperament and Tankmates
Ropefish are peaceful but opportunistic: anything small enough to fit in their mouth, including small fish and shrimp, is fair game. Choose tankmates that are too large to be eaten yet calm enough not to outcompete a slow eater or nip at the ropefish. Good options include larger peaceful community fish and other gentle, similarly sized species. They can also be kept in small groups of their own kind, which they often seem to enjoy, resting together in piles among the decor.
Find Oddball Fish in Cheyenne
At Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne, we quarantine and monitor all of our fish before they go up for sale, so any oddballs we carry are healthy and ready for your tank. Stop by to ask our team about ropefish and other unusual species, the right tank size and lid setup, and tankmate planning. We also offer free water testing to help you keep stable conditions for sensitive new arrivals.