Bichir or ropefish?

[magpie]

I am transitioning my 65 gallon community tank to a more predatory one. I currently have some smaller fish that would be lunch soon (12 rummynose tetras, and five 5-year old cardinals), but I will work on moving them out gradually.

My tank is 65 gallons, planted, BUT the issue is that it only has a 3-ft footprint. (36 x 18 x 24)

I am a huge sucker for bottom feeders, eels, gobies, plecs, etc. and have always, always wanted ropefish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus). I have read that they grow slowly, and we will be moving and then upgrading to a 4-ft tank but that won't be for probably 2 years, maybe sooner but let's say 2 years.

I also know that ropefish need to have buddies - have read 3 is the minimum you should keep.

So... in your opinion would you get some small ones now, anticipating a 4-foot upgrade in 2 years, or just scrap that plan and do a smaller bichir? (Can I do more than one?) Or maybe I do an eel, of which I think only a peacock would work. I think I've read that they have less 'personality' though.

I do have 2 plecos that I plan on keeping - a blue seam BN and a Para. I also have a single stiphodon goby and a handful of kuhli loaches to round out my bottom feeders. I'm not sure if these are potential conflicts or not?

 

[kno4te]

Would get a tank full of ropes for now then add the polys once I upgrade to a 4 foot tank.

Plecos as long as fed will leave the ropes/polys alone. The goby and loaches won't be conflicts. May get nipped but may get eaten once polys are introduced.

 

[magpie]

So in a 4-ft tank I could do both? That would be fantastic! Seriously, if I could do an entire tank of bottom feeders that wouldn't eat each other it would be my dream tank. I need like a really shallow 8 foot tank.

I don't think my plecos will bother the others. The BN especially, but even the Para - she is not aggressive, even with the BN. She will scoot others away from a piece of food but that's just because she's a pig.

The goby and the kuhlis are all about 5 years old, so I am not sure how long they will be around. Unsure of their typical lifespans. There are a lot of small spaces for the kuhlis to hide... but they do come out at feeding time so might get snatched up then.

How many ropes should I get? My LFS will most likely have some in a few weeks.

 

[magpie]

Hmmm... looks like my goby is geriatric as their lifespan is only supposed to be 2 years.

Kuhlis can live to 10, so they are only middle-aged. I'd love to keep them if they won't be eaten. I have a big soft spot for my little micro-eels.

 

[kno4te]

I would suggest getting a wider tank as that will do well for you.

Once you get on Polypterus then you want more. It adds up before you know it you'll be thinking you should've upgraded.

But I'd say think about a final tank size.

For now 3 ropes. The more the merrier but you need more eventual tank space.

 

[Polyaddict86]

What knid a species of polys your looking for?? For a 4ft tank you might fit 3 senegalus poly, they dont grow that big.

 

[magpie]

Thanks!

I am open to any species of bichir, I just want them to be happy. And I will likely not be going larger than a 4-ft tank when I do upgrade. Mayyybe a 5-ft.

But I can cross that bridge when I come to it. If I can do the ropes now, that's what I'll start with, then once we move I will do bichir research.

I learned with this tank that for most species that I like in general, footprint is more important than actual gallons. My 3-ft footprint is much more limiting than I anticipated, vs. a 75 gallon which is only 10 gals more of water.

 

[kno4te]

Look for wider tanks as ur polys will appreciate it more.

 

[magpie]

You mean the depth, right? Front to back? Or the length - side to side?



The back of my glass lid is that plastic that you cut holes out of for your filter, etc. It could be a place for these guys to get out.

I don't really want to weigh it down just in case something were to fall off, and I remove the lids completely or shift them around when I am cleaning the tank to maintain the plants, so tape isn't ideal either. I was thinking of using these clips made for reptile lids, or maybe finding some small clamps at a hardware store or something. Any other ideas?

 

[kno4te]

I have similar plastic ends but I just cut mine to fit. No issues. This is important as any openings
can lead to ropefish or bichirs committing suicide.

Yes...front to back.