New to Rope Fish - help on set up
- Thread starter bottomdweller72
- Start date
i watch and inspect regularly.
lol Beamer (the rope) is just trying her best to snuggle the bn right now, i'm cracking up, had to share that
good to know on the ornate, it is one that i have on my list. maybe by the time i get the big tank in the summer, i'll be ready to care for the ornate. what would be a good tank mate with the del? i'm 90% set on the del.
thanks for explaining the grow out, purchase size was a concern to me, good idea having a tank specific for that, i never would have thought of that before.
If you are going to go with a 150 that would be good for an ornate - is that the tank you're going to get next summer? If that's the case I think if you get a baby ornate it would be fine in the 55 until then. An inch per month is a good general rule, but the larger UJs don't slow down as quickly as the smaller ones do.
That being said, I think an ornate might be more risky with ropes over time. J jaws7777 has a good sized one so might be able to give a good opinion on that.
I would say that since you are going to mix ropes and bichirs you might want to play it on the safe side and go with the smaller upper jaws. I definitely think you should get a Delhezi.
Then other good options are:
Senegal, Polli (both active and interactive even though not as striking visually),
Palmas, Mokelembembe (maybe less active but more attractive).
Retropinnis and Buettekoferi are also in the group but I always read about them being shy and reclusive.
That being said, I think an ornate might be more risky with ropes over time. J jaws7777 has a good sized one so might be able to give a good opinion on that.
I would say that since you are going to mix ropes and bichirs you might want to play it on the safe side and go with the smaller upper jaws. I definitely think you should get a Delhezi.
Then other good options are:
Senegal, Polli (both active and interactive even though not as striking visually),
Palmas, Mokelembembe (maybe less active but more attractive).
Retropinnis and Buettekoferi are also in the group but I always read about them being shy and reclusive.
If you are going to go with a 150 that would be good for an ornate - is that the tank you're going to get next summer? If that's the case I think if you get a baby ornate it would be fine in the 55 until then. An inch per month is a good general rule, but the larger UJs don't slow down as quickly as the smaller ones do.
That being said, I think an ornate might be more risky with ropes over time. J jaws7777 has a good sized one so might be able to give a good opinion on that.
I would say that since you are going to mix ropes and bichirs you might want to play it on the safe side and go with the smaller upper jaws. I definitely think you should get a Delhezi.
Then other good options are:
Senegal, Polli (both active and interactive even though not as striking visually),
Palmas, Mokelembembe (maybe less active but more attractive).
Retropinnis and Buettekoferi are also in the group but I always read about them being shy and reclusive.
yep, a 150 has been a very long dream of mine, never had a reason for it, but now i do.
senegal was another i was eyeing on but only 50% sure on it. the others i haven't looked up yet or haven't heard of yet. but i sure do like the Del
ok, my list of mid swimmers thus far... most i really like the colors of, but am unsure if their size/aggressiveness would be an issue. i kinda only want 1 good size mid level but willing to do several smaller as long as it doesn't kill the bio-load with the rest of the crew already planned to be in there (i can leave out the cory's and pleco for now if need be until the 55 is free again after i get the 150 but i really want to keep them all together.)
Sunburst Peacock Cic.
Red Fire Gourami
Pearl Gourami
Boesemani Rainbow
Demasoni Cic.
Angel Ram Cic.
Platinum Gourami
Green Spotted Puffer (still tossed on this one)
or a variety of Discus.
Basically i would like a bright colored mid level to give the tank some color when the bottom dwellers are well, at the bottom resting.
in the tank will be ropes, bichers, cory's, bn... so the mid level needs to be able to handle the very active piggies and not eat them or anything else for that matter. i see the term aggressive on a fish and envision my mind freaks out a little. or would a school of peaceful communities do better? i can do diamond tetra's and black phantoms along with some red wag swords if the bichers or ropes won't eat them. the diamonds are listed as peaceful community but they can be slightly aggressive, more on their own kind in my own experience.
Sunburst Peacock Cic.
Red Fire Gourami
Pearl Gourami
Boesemani Rainbow
Demasoni Cic.
Angel Ram Cic.
Platinum Gourami
Green Spotted Puffer (still tossed on this one)
or a variety of Discus.
Basically i would like a bright colored mid level to give the tank some color when the bottom dwellers are well, at the bottom resting.
in the tank will be ropes, bichers, cory's, bn... so the mid level needs to be able to handle the very active piggies and not eat them or anything else for that matter. i see the term aggressive on a fish and envision my mind freaks out a little. or would a school of peaceful communities do better? i can do diamond tetra's and black phantoms along with some red wag swords if the bichers or ropes won't eat them. the diamonds are listed as peaceful community but they can be slightly aggressive, more on their own kind in my own experience.
If you are 100% sure you are getting a 150 you could have way more ropes and more polys, and it would change what you could keep for tankmates, too.
So be totally honest and realistic in your upgrade plan as far as timing goes.... if it might be another couple of years thats totally fine, but would change how you stock.
So be totally honest and realistic in your upgrade plan as far as timing goes.... if it might be another couple of years thats totally fine, but would change how you stock.
If you are 100% sure you are getting a 150 you could have way more ropes and more polys, and it would change what you could keep for tankmates, too.
So be totally honest and realistic in your upgrade plan as far as timing goes.... if it might be another couple of years thats totally fine, but would change how you stock.
i'm 100% on the 150, i'm thinking august on that one. i see all kinds of 150's with stands for sale all the time at a decent price so getting the tank won't be an issue at all. i would go straight to that if i wasn't moving in april, too much to set up and then break down 2 seconds later basically. most of the stock for the 150 won't be even be a twinkle right now. i'm just working on the 55 (i found a few on the market place today, haggling with one). worst case scenario, the 150 will be end of next year rather than
I've also kept bn in with bichir's and ropes during grow out without a problem
Most ratings on filters assume a low to medium stocking level which is ok for most community tanks but certain fish produce a lot of waste such as most carnivores, large fish, catfish, and goldfish. Basically the ropes, bichir's, and plecos will produce higher than average waste so on a 55 I would probably do a filter rated at 100+ gallons
as far as ornates go I love them but they are the most likely upperjaw to be a jerk and they can get BIG so I would avoid them with ropes. Dels are awesome I have 2, if you can get a wild caught one do, you will notice a big difference in self control when it comes to overeating. Also if you're getting upperjaws you gotta get a sen they are incredibly active and they will hook you. I would also consider a polli both of the ones I had were incredibly personable and came out to visit me when I walk by
OK so if you're going to get the 150 at the middle to end of next year, that helps. The problem is, can your 55 handle the bioload of the growing fish? I think in a 150 I'd be temped to get 3-6 ropes and 3-4 bichirs. Or you could do something like 3 ropes, 3 bichirs and something like a black ghost or an african brown knife.
The cories.... I'm a little worried about them an the bichirs. I don't think a rope will go for them but a bichir might, and it might be deadly for both of them due to the spines on the cories fins. :/ Maybe someone else can chime in on that one.
Sunburst Peacock Cic.
Demasoni Cic.
Angel Ram Cic. -
Red Fire Gourami
Pearl Gourami
Platinum Gourami
Boesemani Rainbow
Green Spotted Puffer (still tossed on this one)
As far as the peaceful community fish option - a large group of deep bodied tetras would be cool, but I'd personally want something else in addition to that for personality, whether that was a cichlid(s), the Ctenopoma, or something else.... I'll think more on it and I bet others will chime in too.
White-tipped tetras are attractive, deep bodied, and hang out together. I've had them before and liked them a lot.
What about Rainbow Cichlids or Severums?
The cories.... I'm a little worried about them an the bichirs. I don't think a rope will go for them but a bichir might, and it might be deadly for both of them due to the spines on the cories fins. :/ Maybe someone else can chime in on that one.
Sunburst Peacock Cic.
Demasoni Cic.
Both of these like higher pH levels. What is your pH?
Angel Ram Cic. -
Had to google, I thought you were mixing Angelfish and Rams. These are balloon rams and are made by inbreeding a lot. They are probably not going to be long-lived. If you like these guys though, you could consider a large group of Bolivian Rams, however the Dwarf Cichlids like the bottom areas of the tank, too.
Discus.I think Discus are amazing and a group of them would be beautiful. They require very clean water, and a lot of research to do right, though. To have them be lower maintenance you'd want to get larger fish to start with vs. growing out small fish as the small guys require more feeding, are messy and require several water changes per week from what I understand. Larger discus are expensive. It's worth looking into, but they are not a fish to get into without doing a ton of reading and asking first.
Red Fire Gourami
Pearl Gourami
Platinum Gourami
Gouramis are pretty, but I don't have a lot of exp. with them. I don't think you could keep a large group though - aren't they aggressive toward each other? I would personally look for a larger fish or a fish that you could keep in larger schools if you are talking about your 150. But if you did these guys with other mid-level fish that might be interesting.
Boesemani Rainbow
I like rainbows as dither fish, and there are a lot of really beautiful color variations. They are also active. But I don't have any direct experience with them.
Green Spotted Puffer (still tossed on this one)
These guys need a brackish setup.
As far as the peaceful community fish option - a large group of deep bodied tetras would be cool, but I'd personally want something else in addition to that for personality, whether that was a cichlid(s), the Ctenopoma, or something else.... I'll think more on it and I bet others will chime in too.
White-tipped tetras are attractive, deep bodied, and hang out together. I've had them before and liked them a lot.
What about Rainbow Cichlids or Severums?
I have all three of the common upper jaws, Senegalus, Delhezi, and Polli. They're all totallly awesome and you should get all three 
I find the Polli and Senegal to be the most active, while my Delhezi will be reclusive or active depending on what seems like mood. I can often spot its head poking out from somewhere or a glimpse of its tail as it's slithering about in the plants, it's very agile and stealthy compared to my other Bichirs. As for future tank size go for as big as you can afford/want/can. Bigger is always better, as when all is said and done, the aquarium is the entire world of your fish. Polypterids are much smarter than they get credit for, and will curiously investigate every inch of the aquarium.
Yes an adult Florida Gar would deserve at least 200g and preferably alot more. But then again if you're going to be at least somewhat humane about it then so do Polypterids and most other fish of similar body mass. I'm feeling seriously bad about keeping my large-ish fish in my 75g as it is now, even though the only fish to exceed 15-16cm are my ropes. If all goes according to plan I will upgrade to a 200g main tank after I move next month, then a larger DIY project later on when circumstances permit.
I find the Polli and Senegal to be the most active, while my Delhezi will be reclusive or active depending on what seems like mood. I can often spot its head poking out from somewhere or a glimpse of its tail as it's slithering about in the plants, it's very agile and stealthy compared to my other Bichirs. As for future tank size go for as big as you can afford/want/can. Bigger is always better, as when all is said and done, the aquarium is the entire world of your fish. Polypterids are much smarter than they get credit for, and will curiously investigate every inch of the aquarium.Yes an adult Florida Gar would deserve at least 200g and preferably alot more. But then again if you're going to be at least somewhat humane about it then so do Polypterids and most other fish of similar body mass. I'm feeling seriously bad about keeping my large-ish fish in my 75g as it is now, even though the only fish to exceed 15-16cm are my ropes. If all goes according to plan I will upgrade to a 200g main tank after I move next month, then a larger DIY project later on when circumstances permit.
