🐟 AquaticCare difficulty: IntermediateLegal complexity: Low
Ropefish
Erpetoichthys calabaricus · also called Reedfish, Snakefish, Reed fish
A primitive, snake-like African bichir relative with paired lung-like air sacs that let it breathe air at the surface. It is peaceful, nocturnal, and a notorious escape artist that will slither out of any unsealed gap in the lid.
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Quick facts
| Size | Elongated, eel-like; commonly 15-20 in (38-50 cm), occasionally larger. |
| Lifespan | 8–18 years |
| Social needs | group |
| Native region | West and Central Africa (Niger Delta to Congo Basin) |
| Origin | Old World |
| Climate | 🌴 Tropical |
| Water type | 💧 Freshwater |
| Family | Polypteridae |
| Genus | Erpetoichthys |
Part of the Monster fish
Large, long-lived predatory and oddball fish that need big tanks, strong filtration, and committed keepers.
Habitat & space requirements
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Habitat & enclosure
Provide a long, footprint-focused tank of at least 55 gallons (208 L) for a small group, more for adults, with the water level a few inches below a fully covered, tightly sealed lid so air-breathing is possible. Soft to moderately hard water, pH 6.0-7.5, temperature 72-82F (22-28C), with gentle to moderate flow. Dim lighting, dense plants, driftwood, and tubes or caves suit this shy, crepuscular fish. Leave an air gap above the water for surface breathing.
Substrate
Use soft sand or fine, smooth gravel so this bottom-dweller can root and burrow without scratching its skin. Avoid sharp or coarse substrate. Sand also lets buried sinking food be located by scent and reduces injury during the fish's restless nighttime cruising.
Equipment & setup
Essentials are a tightly sealed, weighted lid with every gap blocked, gentle filtration (sponge or canister) that will not trap a slender body or fin, and a heater with a guard. Subdued lighting and plentiful cover reduce stress. No special UV or air pumps are required, but good surface agitation and an air gap support its air-breathing.
Diet
A carnivore that hunts by smell along the bottom at night. Offer meaty foods: earthworms, blackworms, bloodworms, mysis, krill, chopped prawn, and sinking carnivore pellets once it learns them. Feed after lights-out so faster tankmates do not outcompete this slow, methodical feeder. Pre-soaked, sinking foods that hold together work best; target-feed with tongs if needed.
Behavior & temperament
Peaceful and gregarious, often resting in piles or shared hides; keep several together. It is not aggressive toward similar-sized tankmates but will swallow any fish or shrimp small enough to fit its mouth, so house only with peaceful fish too large to eat. The single biggest risk is escape; it can squeeze through tiny openings around filters and cords and survive out of water briefly. Generally not handled.
Health
Hardy when water is clean and well-oxygenated, but sensitive to poor water quality and to copper- and many invertebrate-targeted medications, which should be used cautiously at reduced doses. Its smooth, ganoid-scaled skin makes it prone to abrasions and to ich; treat gently. Ensure access to surface air at all times, as denying air breathing can drown this air-breather. Watch for failure to feed, a sign of stress or competition.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Triple-check the lid: seal filter cutouts, heater-cord gaps, and feeding holes, because ropefish escapes are the leading cause of death. Keep them in groups of three or more; they are social and bolder together. Use tongs or a turkey baster to target-feed at night, and never house with fish small enough to swallow. They can be slow to start eating after a move, so be patient with frozen meaty foods.
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Erpetoichthys calabaricus (reference)
- FishBase: Erpetoichthys calabaricus (database)
- Wikipedia: Ropefish (wiki)