Rope fish update

[Niki_up]

So about two months ago I purchased a rope fish not expecting it to survive at bc i was having problems getting it to eat.

well it has now joined the 135g tank and is enjoying all the extra space.

it comes out at feeding time to eat with the other fish, it’s quite an aggressive feeder now!

not sure about eh sex (not that it matters), but maybe someone can confirm? I suspect female bc the anal fin “blends in and “she” only has 10 rays/spikes down her back.

Hard to photograph bc it won’t stop swimming.

named jetsome regardless of gender haha

 

[tlindsey]

So about two months ago I purchased a rope fish not expecting it to survive at bc i was having problems getting it to eat.

well it has now joined the 135g tank and is enjoying all the extra space.

it comes out at feeding time to eat with the other fish, it’s quite an aggressive feeder now!

not sure about eh sex (not that it matters), but maybe someone can confirm? I suspect female bc the anal fin “blends in and “she” only has 10 rays/spikes down her back.

Hard to photograph bc it won’t stop swimming.

named jetsome regardless of gender haha
View attachment 1395695View attachment 1395696View attachment 1395697

Great update and yes looks female.

 

[twentyleagues]

I agree looks female, but dependimg on age/over all size could be male not developed yet. Polys do the same thing. 2 of my dels I though were female becauce both were 10"+ and still had small anal fins, then one day it seemed overnight the fin was wider and they were cupping. I calculated it to be near the 2 year old mark for the dels. My albino sen was 3 years old before I could tell it was male. I have no idea on my ropefish ages but at 14"+ I can tell on all of them. I have heard rope fish dont come to breeding age until 10 years. I dont know if it true. I read that in a ropefish biological report from some biologist. Just something I came across while trying to see why people are having a hard time breeding them in captivity. I have alot of them and it would be cool if they breed but its not a goal.

 

[Niki_up]

Great update and yes looks female.

Thank you

 

[Niki_up]

I agree looks female, but dependimg on age/over all size could be male not developed yet. Polys do the same thing. 2 of my dels I though were female becauce both were 10"+ and still had small anal fins, then one day it seemed overnight the fin was wider and they were cupping. I calculated it to be near the 2 year old mark for the dels. My albino sen was 3 years old before I could tell it was male. I have no idea on my ropefish ages but at 14"+ I can tell on all of them. I have heard rope fish dont come to breeding age until 10 years. I dont know if it true. I read that in a ropefish biological report from some biologist. Just something I came across while trying to see why people are having a hard time breeding them in captivity. I have alot of them and it would be cool if they breed but its not a goal.

That was good info!

10 years!!! No wonder no one can breed them in captivity, most probably dont Own their fish that long.

I’m not sure in the length or age of my gal, I’d guess she’s about 11-12 inches and she’s not thick like some of the ones I’ve seen at the Lfs.

How old are your ropes? I’d be interested in seeing little baby ropes haha

 

[twentyleagues]

A couple are 2ish years some may be as old as 7 or 8. Not really sure. 5 are thick and around 18" long rest are less but more then 12. 1 might be 12. I have 11 in total.

 

[Niki_up]

A couple are 2ish years some may be as old as 7 or 8. Not really sure. 5 are thick and around 18" long rest are less but more then 12. 1 might be 12. I have 11 in total.

Have you posted pictures before? I would love to see

 

[twentyleagues]

Yeah.
This is the most recent thing I have of them its long and posted elsewhere but this will make it easier on you.

These are from when I was at my other house and they were still in the 180.

 

[Niki_up]

They are thick!

 

[EntoStentor]

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