Species profile
Rope Fish
Erpetoichthys calabaricusRope Fish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus) is a solo centerpiece fish for a cycled 75+ gallon freshwater aquarium. Plan for about 20 inches as an adult, 75-82°F water, pH 6.5-7.8, and advanced care. Keep only one per tank, and choose tankmates with matching water needs and low aggression.
Community leaningAdvanced care
75 galMinimum tank
20 inAdult size
1Schooling minimum
75-82°FTemperature
Water Range
- pH
- 6.5-7.8
- GH
- 4-15 dGH
- KH
- 2-10 dKH
Behavior
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Fin nipping
- 0/5
- Territory
- 1/5
Diet and Care
- Diet
- carnivore
- Diet difficulty
- 4/5
- Care difficulty
- 4/5
Planning Notes
Predatory fish; avoid tankmates small enough to swallow and plan for meaty foods.
This species may need live, frozen, fresh, or otherwise specialized foods.
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These matches are starting points with overlapping water ranges and lower behavior risk. Always check the full stocking plan, tank size, and group counts before buying.
Run Rope Fish through the checker with your tank size, cycle status, water, group count, and tankmates before buying.
Check my tankCompare this speciesPut Rope Fish beside another profile to compare water range, size, diet, schooling needs, and behavior.
Open comparisonWill plants work?Match Rope Fish against aquarium plants for nibbling, uprooting, cover, flow, and water-range flags.
Open plant matchAsk about my setupAsk Advisor how Rope Fish fits with your current tank, recent logs, plants, and livestock.
Ask AdvisorView native rangeOpen the origins map to see reviewed native-range coordinates and regional context for Rope Fish.
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