Ropefish being aggressive?

[Texas1203]

I have been watching my two ropes and one is definitely being aggressive towards the other. It is not food aggression because they will eat together. It appears one rope prefers the castle cave and will bite the other to get it away from the cave. There was a commotion behind the decoration and one rope had his mouth on the other ropes tail. The one being bit had to shake the other off. Then today again the one rope, I guess got to close to the cave, and
was bitten again. I did research these fish before purchasing and from what I read they prefer groups, but with a 75 gallon two was enough. I also have one African butterfly. So I know the tank is not overstocked. I have attempted to sex them and I believe they both may be female. Maybe since they both are female there is a problem. One also seems to have a healthier appetite. Has anyone else ever experienced territorial rope fish?

 

[Texas1203]

Update: well I said it wasn’t food aggression. As I was typing I noticed one rope eating, the other hanging out in the floating plants. The one in plants came down and started foraging, the other nipped then full on bit. I’ll try to get video of it. Very confusing…. i thought they were peaceful.

 

[Krismo962]

It's because you only have 2. Atleast that's the case with bichirs, when I had only 2 of them in 1 tank they would always go at eachother it stops when I add more.
(I have never kept ropes)

twentyleagues

 

[tlindsey]

It's because you only have 2. Atleast that's the case with bichirs, when I had only 2 of them in 1 tank they would always go at eachother it stops when I add more.

Agree fish will establish a ranking order for tank boss. Hopefully everything will be fine.

I find the word Peaceful not properly used almost every species of fish will quarrel among its own kind.

 

[Texas1203]

I suppose they will just have to figure out their own pecking order. I am staying away from adding more (unless I can convince the hubby we need a bigger tank). At first, they both were hanging out together in the cave, but I am going to convince myself that they are comfortable in their new home and staking claims ?. Thanks for the replies!

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

I am reading this because we obtained a single rope fish ~12" as rescue some weeks ago. Our first and only one, so I am of no help. Do ropes grow that large that two are expected to fill a 75 gal??? I naively thought that you could easily have half a dozen.

I hope the OP and us will hear from the firsthand rope keepers.

Pretty tank, a labor of love obviously. I love the "fully visible castle fortification". Smart! Gotta see your fish as much as possible (except when they bury in substrate).

In general 2 can be a bad number even for shoaling or schooling fish. Not always but can be. IDK if it applies to the ropes. Hence the thirst for the 1sthand keepers' input.

I don't see an indication of time. How long have you had them?

 

[Texas1203]

I am reading this because we obtained a single rope fish ~12" as rescue some weeks ago. Our first and only one, so I am of no help. Do ropes grow that large that two are expected to fill a 75 gal??? I naively thought that you could easily have half a dozen.

I hope the OP and us will hear from the firsthand rope keepers.

Pretty tank, a labor of love obviously. I love the "fully visible castle fortification". Smart! Gotta see your fish as much as possible (except when they bury in substrate).

In general 2 can be a bad number even for shoaling or schooling fish. Not always but can be. IDK if it applies to the ropes. Hence the thirst for the 1sthand keepers' input.

I don't see an indication of time. How long have you had them?

Rope fish can get to 15 inches. It is recommended that they be held in a minimum of 55 gallons, adding an extra 15 gallons for each additional rope. I have had them for a lil over a week. I plan on another butterfly fish, and mid level schooling fish. (Still figuring the schooling fish out maybe some angels, or 6 glass catfish, or killifish (west african killi can get to 4 inches)) I only wanted one rope, but the hubby said get two so they won’t be lonely ?.

 

[twentyleagues]

I have 14 currently. I have had them for a few years over all. I have a variety of sizes. They can exceed 15", I have 3 large females all over 18". You could easily add a couple more to your 75. I have never seen them act aggressive with each other or twords other fish they can't fit in their mouths. I've kept ropefish and bichirs off on on for years never had an aggressive rope. I'm not saying it can't happen or won't happen, but typically they are a very social, mild mannered fish. I'd try adding 2-3 more if possible.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Thank you for this, Capt. Nemo Jr. Great to have your input. Have you ever kept just two together? Would you say a good size group is more fun to keep, more interesting interactions and quirks to observe and enjoy? If you have a thread on your rope gang, please link it.

 

[twentyleagues]

Thank you for this, Capt. Nemo Jr. Great to have your input. Have you ever kept just two together? Would you say a good size group is more fun to keep, more interesting interactions and quirks to observe and enjoy? If you have a thread on your rope gang, please link it.

Lol!
Not that I can remember either 1 or more then 3. This group is the largest. They are pretty cool in about any size group, one of my favorite fish. They currently reside in my 300g pond with 8 uj bichirs a handful of synos a leopard cteno and 3 fronts. Actually in the pond they've been a little more secretive, but the big 3 and a couple other randoms will still come check out what I'm doing and we play the what's in your hand game a bit. I haven't updated that or really any of my stuff in quite awhile. Been very busy with my 3 jobs. I basically do water changes, feed and filter maintenance don't really bother with algae on the glass or pulling babies from my Shellies (they eat them if I don't) or making stuff look presentable. My fish room is a mess.

I believe a group of 3 or more definitely brings out their better qualities for sure. Less hiding and watching them interact with each other is quite fun and interesting.

So for warning the link below is my pond, I have not updated in a year, there is some bs involved if you don't enjoy drama don't read just watch vids and look at the pics.

Poly pond.

Love the natural hunt for food among the floating plants.

www.monsterfishkeepers.com