Rope fish

[Fraser81]

A quick question i was wondering if anyone has kept a rope fish in a bare bottom tank if i gave it some abs tube to swim through and hide in would it be ok? As i personally like bare tanks better

 

[Angelphish]

A quick question i was wondering if anyone has kept a rope fish in a bare bottom tank if i gave it some abs tube to swim through and hide in would it be ok? As i personally like bare tanks better

J jaws7777 Polyaddict86

 

[Chub_by]

They will be OK without substrate if there are enough hiding spots.

 

[Polyaddict86]

I havent kept a rope fish before, but i dont see any problem with having a abs tube for it. Rope fish dont get thick, always stay slim and as long as it can get out of the tube quick to breath air in the surface then i dont see any problem with it.

 

[jaws7777]

Never kept them but the bare tank wouldnt be an issue.

 

[Def Leppard Hysteria]

Be sure to have a tight fitting lid. They are escape artists.

 

[heavyhitter]

Be sure to have a tight fitting lid. They are escape artists.

YES they are! If you think a gap is to small. It probably isnt. The Houdini of aquarium fish.

 

[kewpiefishypewpie]

Best kept in groups too, or so I've heard. magpie

 

[magpie]

I have rope fish. They like places to hang out, so if you go bare bottom I'd add more than just a tube for them - driftwood, fake plants, etc to keep them most happy. I do have a fully planted tank which they seem to love but I don't think live plants are fully necessary as long as you have décor. I don't think substrate matters as much as what is in the water column. If you just have a bare tank with tubes you probably won't see them much.

Yes, they like to be in groups of 3+. Mine cuddle constantly and it supposedly keeps them more comfortable so they are more active (which mine are). They also hang out in funny places all the time, partially propped on random plants or décor.

Secure the tank as mentioned above for sure, as in duct tape or otherwise over every little hole even where your heater cord goes in.

I love mine to death, (they even eat out of my hand) but if you want a minimalistic tank they might not be for you. I'm not sure they'd be super stressed as long as they had a tube, but I don't think they'd be happy. Ropes are wild caught and come from vegetated areas with plants and reeds.

 

[magpie]

For example, I walked by the tank tonight, saw one in a silly spot and thought of this thread. So I took some pics of them in the random positions they were in within a 5 minute period.




They do go in the open a lot, too. But I think it's because they feel secure. They certainly seem to like exploring and each other's company.