Rope experts

[shepp]

I used to have a pair of ropes... the only question that hasn't been addressed several times is the size of the hole they can escape through. My answer?? ANY size hole. The main thing you need to remember, if you have a hang on the back type filter, is that they will swim up INTO your filter, get over the cartridge, push the lid off and jump from there. Be sure your water level is low enough that the water does not contact the spout for the filter. Also, as far as frozen food, mine LOVED frozen beef heart cubes. I didn't see a lot of predatory behavior - they just weren't fast enough (or smart enough) to chase down their food, and preferred to lie in wait. They did great with my plecos, and better with my bichirs. Ended up trading them in to a better home so I had more room. Good luck with yours - they are a very interesting species.

Jessie*

i have seen my rope try a few times when he was younger to get up the outlet of my filter but couldnt get any where becuase of the bio wheels but yes thats a good advice too!!!

 

[Keeper of the Ropes]

My male knocked the biowheel off it's track... First we couldn't figure out how he got out, just found him in the sink slithering around (the tank he was in was on our bar), and the second we got him back in the tank he did his trick again for us. Absolutely amazing!

Jessie*

 

[dragonfish]

Thanks for all the advice. He is such a cool fish, slithering around the tank, looking for food, or an escape route. So far no one bothers him and he just goes where he wants.

 

[Keeper of the Ropes]

The only other thing I can think of to mention is that they (mine at least) were pretty sensitive when it came to their tank set up. Whenever I did WCs over around 30%, or redecorated, they threw tantrums for a few hours and would stress out a lot. They liked things calm and unchanging. Enjoy your fish Get him a pal as a present lol

Jessie*

 

[dragonfish]

You don't understand the grief I get for bringing home free fish. If I go out and buy any I will probably be buried in one of the tanks, sooner than later. Still the idea has merit. Yes honey, I know it's unbelievable, someone else had a rope they needed to get rid of, how could I say no to a living creature.

 

[Keeper of the Ropes]

Its the same for me. I get grief for everything I bring home, especially angelfish, which is my other chocolate next to bichirs. When I first got started, I only had one 20g and I had to sneak the baby senegals home hidden in bags of rosies... *sigh* Now I just buy them, put them in the tank, turn the lights off and pray no one notices lol

Jessie*

 

[dragonfish]

I usually try the old " It's been there all along, you just never noticed" trick. Rarely works but got to try. It's very hard when the new fish come in not to examine them closely for something interesting or different. And we know where that leads.