Ropefish Care: Tank Size, Tank Mates and Escape-Proof Lid
Published: 2026-10-29 · FishyKart Blog
The ropefish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus), also called reedfish, is a long, eel-like fish from West and Central Africa that often grows 12-16 inches in aquariums. Despite its looks it is not an eel but a relative of the bichir. Ropefish are peaceful and curious, but adults need a long tank of around 140 gallons (5 x 2 feet footprint) with a tight lid, because they are famous escape artists, and they will eat any fish or shrimp small enough to swallow.
Photo: 5snake5 - Wikimedia Commons, CC0
| Parameter | Value |
| Scientific name | Erpetoichthys calabaricus |
| Family | Polypteridae (bichirs) |
| Origin | West and Central Africa (Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon to Congo and Angola) |
| Adult size | Often 12-16 in in aquariums; up to ~35 in reported in the wild |
| Tank | About 5 x 2 ft footprint (~140 gal) for adults, tight lid |
| Temperature | 73-86 F |
| pH | About 6.0-7.5 |
| Diet | Carnivore: bloodworms, brine shrimp, earthworms, sinking meaty foods |
| Temperament | Peaceful but eats small fish |
Tank Setup
- Lid: cover every gap, including holes for filter tubes and cables. Ropefish can squeeze through tiny openings and die outside the tank.
- Length over height: they swim along the bottom, so a long footprint matters more than tall walls.
- Hiding places: PVC pipes, driftwood and caves make them more relaxed and active.
- Surface access: they breathe air, so keep a small gap of air under the lid.
- Substrate: sand or smooth gravel protects their scaly bodies.
Feeding
Ropefish have poor eyesight and find food by smell. Feed frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, chopped earthworms and sinking carnivore pellets, ideally after the lights go off when they are most active. Make sure faster fish do not steal all the food.
Tank Mates
Good tank mates are peaceful fish too big to swallow: angelfish, larger gouramis such as pearl gouramis, bichirs, larger corydoras and African butterfly fish. Avoid neon tetras, guppies and cherry shrimp, which will become food, and avoid aggressive cichlids that bully them.
Keep Them in a Group
Ropefish are social and often rest tangled together. A group of 2-3 or more in a tank sized for adults usually shows more natural behavior than a single fish.