Ropefish

Looks how to spot one

Very long, snake-like body covered in hard, interlocking scales

A slender, rope-like fish with no pelvic fins and a row of small separate finlets along the back. The upper body is dark olive to brown and the belly is a warm yellow or orange; males lean greener and females more yellow-brown.12

Personality what they are like

Calm and inquisitive, and not territorial towards its own kind. It will however treat any tankmate small enough to swallow as food, so companions should be medium to large, calm fish such as larger characins, Synodontis catfish, angelfish or severums.23

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Most active at dusk and night, when it glides along the bottom hunting. It can swim in waves like an eel or paddle slowly with its pectoral fins.12

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

A tight, gap-free lid is a must because it is a skilled escaper. It breathes air as well as using gills, so the water surface must stay reachable. Keep water changes regular and chemistry steady, as it dislikes sudden pH shifts.32

Home where they are happiest

Tropical freshwater, tolerating slightly brackish water. Seriously Fish suggests a tank with a base of about 150 x 60 cm (around 540 L) for an adult, 23-30 °C, pH 6.0-7.5 and 5-20 dGH; FishBase gives 22-28 °C and pH 6.0-8.0. Soft sand, plants, roots and plenty of hiding spots suit it.31

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Carnivore. In the wild it eats worms, small crustaceans, insects, snails and small fish. In the aquarium it prefers meaty live or frozen foods such as earthworms, bloodworm, prawn and mussel, and often ignores dry food.213

Company who they like around

Can be kept singly or in a small group, since ropefish are not territorial with each other. Avoid very fast, pushy feeders that would beat it to food.3

The story where it all began

The ropefish was named by Smith in 1865 and sits alone in its own genus within the ancient bichir family. Its genus name comes from Greek words meaning 'creeping thing' and 'fish'. Aquarium specimens are still collected from the wild because captive breeding has not been achieved.12

Recognised by the official bits

FishBase

Described by Smith in 1865; the only member of the genus Erpetoichthys, family Polypteridae (bichirs).1

IUCN Red List (via FishBase)

Near Threatened (assessed 2019).1