Ropes...

[AttackFish]

Hey, could I get some general care info for these guys? My LFS has about 10 Of them at about 12'' and I really want to get one or two. They are really awesome. Was wondering if I could keep one or two in a 75G(42''x18''x24'') with a Crenicichla Cincta, 3xSilver Dollars, and a Vieja Argentea. Thanks Guys...

 

[Cohazard]

I don't know about the pike cichlid. Ropes may look too appetizing, but I have no experience with them.

I'd go with up to 3 or 4 even in a 75g. They like to be in groups.

Feed a typical polypterus diet: broken up massivore, chopped up market shrimp, krill (if you want to overpay to feed them), earthworms, beefheart, etc... meaty foods.

Other than that, not too picky and do well in a wide range of setups, so long as they're not being picked on.

HTH

 

[AttackFish]

Hey, Thanks for the info! I'm also a little worried about the pike, as theyre a more agressive species. I'll have to ask over on the pike forum, and see if anyone has kept cincta with ropes.

They re just so neat, my LFS has about 10 together and they all slither around on the bottom of the tank, remind me of sea snakes but FW.

I'll look for some more information on them and hope some more people post! I'm very interested in thewse guys.

Thanks alot Cohazard!

 

[jdryden]

The store I bought my two ropes from had them in with a pike. I don't remember which one, they've never really been my cup o' tea.

 

[Cohazard]

Hey, Thanks for the info! I'm also a little worried about the pike, as theyre a more agressive species. I'll have to ask over on the pike forum, and see if anyone has kept cincta with ropes.

They re just so neat, my LFS has about 10 together and they all slither around on the bottom of the tank, remind me of sea snakes but FW.

I'll look for some more information on them and hope some more people post! I'm very interested in thewse guys.

Thanks alot Cohazard!

Anytime, it's all about being an active community member!

They do look like sea snakes heheh, especially the males with the thick anal fins, reminds me of the paddle tail on the green sea snakes (the largest species of sea snake I believe?).


To help along your search for info, always google the latin names. In this case, it's: Erpetoichthys calabaricus.


The aquahobby site is a good place to go to read various comments and personal experiences without the wait time of a forum. although not all comments are informative. Some are just "yay my ropes love me!!" but it's all grooovy.

 

[andyourblueblood]

how big are your fish??

 

[AttackFish]

Thanks for all the info guys.

andyourblueblood - I havent bought them yet... but when I do: Cincta: 4-5'', Vieja 4-5'', Silver dollars 3-4''

 

[andyourblueblood]

Thanks for all the info guys.

andyourblueblood - I havent bought them yet... but when I do: Cincta: 4-5'', Vieja 4-5'', Silver dollars 3-4''

i keep my rope in my grow out tank and he does fine! he is in with about 15 fish ranging from 2" up to about 4.5"! i think youll be fine. if you get a rope, your better getting a few. i hear they do much better in groups.

 

[ShadowBass]

Your cichlids may harrass them, not sure.

Make sure to have a very tight fitting lid with no spaces in back. If your hood is loose they can potentially push the glass up and get out.

You're definately better off getting groups. I would personally get 3+. I have 5 right now (Had 6, but the ornate I had found ones head tasty...) and plan to get a lot more.

They can be a pain to get eating. Mine didn't eat for several weeks until one decided to munch on cocktail shrimp and the rest joined in. That's yet another reason to not just get one. If that one is a poor eater he may starve to death with no other ropes to induce feeding behavior. If you have a group and one is a good eater the rest will start eating.