All fish / Polypteridae

Reedfish

Erpetoichthys calabaricus

Also known as ropefish, rope fish, snakefish, snake fish, reed fish, rope eel, ปลางูอัฟริกา, ロープフィッシュ, アミメウナギ, ikan tali, 草绳恐龙, 芦苇鱼

A long, eel-like fish with an olive to greenish-brown back, a yellowish belly and a row of small separate dorsal finlets along its back. It is kept for its snake-like movement, inquisitive character and ability to gulp air from the surface, which makes it a striking oddball for larger community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

35 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Can be kept singly, but does well in small groups of 3 or more

Diet

Carnivore: bloodworm, earthworms, prawns, mussel, white fish and sinking carnivore pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

15 to 20 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

West and Central Africa: coastal river systems of Benin, Nigeria and Cameroon

Breeding

Spawning in captivity is rare and mostly happens by chance; the adhesive eggs are scattered among plants after a courtship in which the male wraps around the female. Most specimens in the trade are wild-caught.

Good to know

It is an expert escape artist, so the tank needs a tight-fitting lid with no gaps, while still leaving air space as it breathes atmospheric air. It will eat small fish and shrimp that fit in its mouth, so avoid neon-sized tankmates.