Would A Bichir and a Rope Fish Work?

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xRage10

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 29, 2010
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Lake Mary, Florida
I just picked up a 55 gallon tank today along with a Fluval 305 filter for $75 :headbang2

I've been wanting a rope fish for the longest time but obviously don't want it to be the only thing in the tank. I've seen loads of people on this site get excited about bichirs and I'm now interested in possibly getting one. Would the two be fine together?

I know the rope fish is rather peaceful but could go after something smaller than it, but I think a bichir at a couple inches long wouldn't be in danger with a small rope fish. However, I've never tried mixing the two, nor do I really know anything about the two in terms of aggression.

I'm absolutely getting the rope fish, so if not a bichir, what else should I get? I'm open to suggestions :)
 
A bichir will eat anything it can fit in its mouth, at least that is the case with my two senegal bichirs- got them about 3-4 inches, and as they grow in size they seem to grow in confidence in their ability to eat whatever smells good and they WILL grab and hold as long as it takes to a large meal down. If the rope fish has a diameter close to or smaller than the diameter of the bichir, it will be a meal. If you get them the same size as small ones and the rope fish will be the same size or larger, it may be ok. Just keep the bichir well fed:)
 
Yeah one of my LFS had a rope fish anywhere from 4" to 6", and another has about a 2" or 3" dinosaur bichir I was thinking about getting to go along with it. I don't know though, my assumption would be that since the rope fish is bigger it'd be fine but after reading how violent bichirs can be I'm kind of hesitant :P

Any ideas of what else could go well with the rope fish though, besides another rope fish? I'm not looking to overstock the 55 obviously, but having just one fish can get kinda "boring" in a tank. I've actually been considering a clown loach or 2, think they'd be fine with the rope fish?
 
aclockworkorange;4470361; said:
No, considering you should have at least 6 clown loaches. :D
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... good point :D

I'd probably get more than two, but not sure I'd want to go past 3 or so in a 55. I don't know, my LFS has some fully grown clowns about a foot long and they're absolutely beautiful to watch when big, prob my favorite "non-monster".
 
ropes do better in groups they also grow really slow i keep ropes with bichirs with no probs but every fish is diff if it was me i'd try 4 3+ ropes and 1-2 sens go 4 the biggest ropes
 
Yeah like I said the ropes at my LFS are about 2 times as long as the bichirs already I believe. I just might have to try it. Wouldn't hurt to try I guess, just might take a minor hit in my wallet >.<
 
All depends on what kind of bichirs you are talking about. With sen's a decent sized rope should do fine. I had to save a 15" rope that had 8" of itself head first down a 12" endlicheri's throat.
I'd do 3 ropes minimum... they're much more active in groups, and they like to snuggle together.
 
xRage10;4470425; said:
Yeah like I said the ropes at my LFS are about 2 times as long as the bichirs already I believe. I just might have to try it. Wouldn't hurt to try I guess, just might take a minor hit in my wallet >.<
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the sen will catch up to the rope fast and ropes r less likly 2 eat a tank mate IMO u can check my "my poly flix" thread 4 pics i keep 6 ropes and 7 bichirs 2gether rite now i'd say go 4 it
 
I lost my 8.5" ropefish to my 9" Ornate. Then only to have him throw it back up the next day in my tank. It was super gross and I haven't gotten a ropefish since. If I could find some that wouldn't end up as meals I would but I don't think I could given the size of a few of my bichirs. With your situation however I would buy a few. I don't think you'd have a problem like that with those bichirs.
 
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