Ropefish
Erpetoichthys calabaricus
- Tank length
- 120 cmabout 4 ft (47 in)
- Start with
- 2
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C72–82 °F
- pH
- 6–8
- Adult size
- 26 cm10 in
- Lifespan
- 15–20 yrs
Escapes through tiny gaps and swallows fish that fit its mouth; a sealed lid and larger tankmates are essential.Escapes through tiny gaps and swallows fish that fit its mouth; a sealed lid and larger tankmates are essential.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- African butterfly cichlid
Ropefish may eat African butterfly cichlidRopefish may eat African butterfly cichlid
- Agassiz's cory
Ropefish may eat Agassiz's coryRopefish may eat Agassiz's cory
Amano shrimpRopefish may eat Amano shrimpRopefish may eat Amano shrimp
- American flagfish
Ropefish may eat American flagfishRopefish may eat American flagfish
- Arfak rainbowfish
Ropefish may eat Arfak rainbowfishRopefish may eat Arfak rainbowfish
Assassin snailRopefish may eat Assassin snailRopefish may eat Assassin snail
- Bandit cory
Ropefish may eat Bandit coryRopefish may eat Bandit cory
- Batanta rainbowfish
Ropefish may eat Batanta rainbowfishRopefish may eat Batanta rainbowfish
- Black kuhli loach
Ropefish may eat Black kuhli loachRopefish may eat Black kuhli loach
Black neon tetraRopefish may eat Black neon tetraRopefish may eat Black neon tetra
- Black phantom tetra
Ropefish may eat Black phantom tetraRopefish may eat Black phantom tetra
- Black ruby barb
Ropefish may eat Black ruby barbRopefish may eat Black ruby barb
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 22–28 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6–8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 5–19 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Origin | Coastal West and Central Africa | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | bottom | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | predatory | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | carnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 15–20 | curated-v0 (needs expert review); agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Months to adult size | 36 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum tank length | 120 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |