Erpetoichthys calabaricus

The intriguing species Erpetoichthys calabaricus, sometimes referred to as the ropefish or reedfish, gives a distinctive element to any aquarium. This fish captivates both novice and expert aquarists with its long, snake-like body and prehistoric appearance.

The ropefish, which is indigenous to the sluggish rivers and swamps of West Africa, is well-suited to living in murky waters. Because of its extraordinary ability to breathe air, it can thrive in low-oxygen environments where other fish might not be able to.

Erpetoichthys calabaricus, despite its frightening appearance, is generally calm and gets along well with a wide range of other fish species. Nonetheless, maintaining its health and well-being in your aquarium depends on your ability to meet its unique care requirements.

Habitat

Africa is home to small, sluggish rivers and still lakes. widely dispersed throughout West Africa; found in Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Angola. It usually inhabits shallow waters that are rich in vegetation.

Description

The body is covered in hard scales and resembles a snake. The ventral fins are absent. Touch-sensitive antennae and expressive black eyes are located on the muzzle.

The top portion of the body is olive or greenish-cream in color, flowing smoothly into the abdomen’s yellowish hue. There are big black dots at the base of the fan-shaped pectoral fins.

There is hardly any discernible sexual difference. The abdomen of females has a convex line and is slightly fuller. The anal fins of the fish can also be used to identify them: the females have a small, triangular anal fin, while the males have a fan-shaped fin that is larger and darker. The second option for differences is that while the female has nine to twelve rays on her dorsal fin, the male has twelve to fourteen. However, this method of sex-based separation is not entirely accurate.

The Calamoichthys fish is unique in that it has both gills and lungs, which allow it to stay out of the water for extended periods of time (up to eight hours if its skin is wet) without perishing.

Size

The snake fish’s body length can reach up to 90 cm in the wild (this is not confirmed), and its diameter is roughly 1.5–2 cm. Fish kept in captivity typically have smaller sizes; the biggest one in an aquarium is 37 cm.

Fry are similar to salamander larvae and have external gills.

Aquarium

You will need a roomy aquarium with a large bottom area of at least 100 liters if you want to keep a Calamoichthys.

However, the fish are much more at ease in the company of their relatives; intraspecific aggression is not noted, and a 250-liter tank is required for a group of three to five fish. Since these fish can so expertly jump out of the water and seep through even the smallest opening, it is imperative that there be a securely closed lid or cover glass present.

It is advisable to add live plants to the aquarium, creating thickets in each section, and to add decorative elements, such as stones, grottoes, and snags, to the reservoir. With the ability to conceal themselves, the fish adjust to their new surroundings more quickly and exhibit more liberated behavior as a result. It is preferable to choose soft, loose soil.

Water parameters:

23 to 30 °C in temperature, 6.0 to 8.0 in pH, and 5 to 19 in dH.

Both effective filtration and once-weekly water changes of 20–30% are essential. But an aerator is not necessary. Because of their unique internal organ structure and the existence of lungs, they can breathe air when needed, which allows them to withstand low oxygen concentrations. If this fish is deprived of oxygen, it may actually drown.

Behavior and compatibility

The suisea fish cannot defend its right to food or fend off aggressive neighbors’ attacks, despite their fairly large sizes and peaceful, non-conflicting nature. For this reason, it is not ideal to keep them with fish that are too mobile and active.

They get along well with goura, shell somi, aterins, macropods, Sumatran barbuses, and some varieties of American cichlids. However, it is best to avoid supporting small species, such as neons or guppies with kalamika. They are just indistinguishable from food by the latter.

The intriguing, eel-like species Erpetoichthys calabaricus, sometimes referred to as the rope fish or reedfish, brings a special charm to any freshwater aquarium. It is a hardy, peaceful fish that, given the right care, can flourish in a well-kept tank despite looking like a snake. This species is surprisingly adaptable despite its ancient lineage, which makes it a great option for aquarists looking to add an exotic touch to their aquarium.

Nutrition

Feed once or twice a day; frozen and live feed are preferred. A specific vulnerability is fed to the bloodworm. They enjoy eating chunks of meat, fish, squid, beef heart, shrimp, worms, and crustaceans. Feeds are unaffected by dryness. You can occasionally serve spinach and fish salad leaves to add some variety to the diet.

You must make sure the Calamoichthys gets its fair share of food when it is housed with members of other species.

The solution is simple if the food is eaten by more nimble aquarium inhabitants: it is placed in a tube that sits on the bottom and has a diameter of up to 3 cm. As a result, the food will be inaccessible to other fish, and Calamoichthys will be able to easily find and obtain it through smell.

It can’t see well, so it uses its keen sense of smell to locate food.

Breeding

The requirements for a successful spawning process are still unknown to hobbyists, and there are very few documented instances of reproduction in aquariums. Fish breeding in captivity is not done because of the many challenges involved and the requirement for hormone injections. They are all delivered from their natural habitats and are all offered for sale as wild animals.

It can survive for more than ten years in an aquarium if the right conditions are met.

The reedfish, or ropefish, Erpetoichthys calabaricus, is a distinctive and fascinating addition to any aquarium. For both novice and seasoned aquarists, this species stands out due to its curious behavior and snake-like appearance.

If you give a reedfish the proper habitat, caring for it is not too difficult. They do best in large tanks with lots of hiding places and plush substrates. These fish can sense low water quality, so it’s critical to maintain clear, oxygen-rich water.

Although reedfish are normally calm, they can be lively and inquisitive, especially at night. They thrive in tanks with tankmates of a similar size who won’t outcompete them for food. They will remain healthy and content if you feed them a varied diet of meaty foods.

All things considered, reedfish are an intriguing and resilient species that can add a lot of life to your aquarium. They can live for a very long time and offer a never-ending source of fascination as they explore their aquatic habitat with the correct care.

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