WTB: African Rope Fish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus)

[McFluffrichromis]

My friend that knows little about fish bought an african rope fish at Petsmart. She overfed hers and now wants another. She of course looks to me to find her one. She said no one at petsmart had any idea of what they ever were or that they even had them.

They are only caught in the wild.

She got VERY lucky to find them at Petsmart for $10

They are really cool fish and I might want one or a few too.

Who knows where to find these guys?

 

[DonkeyFish]

I have had 5. Still have one. Probably my fav fish (over 2", LOL)! Unfortunately with all the little fish and growouts he's been banished to the bathroom tank. we were just talking about taking him to the shop tank last night!

They are VERY hard to find. And if you find one there's about a 50/50 chance it will make it unless it's already been through QT and crazy anti-parasite/whatever else meds. It is a known problem with them, for whatever reason they are extra susceptible. I talked to Rachel awhile ago about finding a couple more and she was going to keep her ears open. I never remembered to follow up. She'd be a good place to start I'd think.

Curious question, is your friend sure what she had was the E. calabaricus? I've never seen them at Petco/Petsmart (and cruise through regularly looking for a random buy) but they regularly get bichirs and dragon gobies that someone could confuse fairly easily for ropefish. In fact even some books call bichirs "ropefish".

Best bet is probably going to be to get them ordered from Rachel or your favorite LFS and hope for the best.

Oh, and make extra sure you've got a completely sealed lid on your tank Sometimes they do like to go for walkabouts.

 

[DonkeyFish]

If you do find any LMK. Might be interested in getting another. Mine is lonely.

They really are neat fish, always smiling. And quite social with their own. I had a pair that would hang out all curled around each other. They will come greet you when you pass by and have been known to eat from your hand.

 

[McFluffrichromis]

I have had 5. Still have one. Probably my fav fish (over 2", LOL)! Unfortunately with all the little fish and growouts he's been banished to the bathroom tank. we were just talking about taking him to the shop tank last night!

They are VERY hard to find. And if you find one there's about a 50/50 chance it will make it unless it's already been through QT and crazy anti-parasite/whatever else meds. It is a known problem with them, for whatever reason they are extra susceptible. I talked to Rachel awhile ago about finding a couple more and she was going to keep her ears open. I never remembered to follow up. She'd be a good place to start I'd think.

Curious question, is your friend sure what she had was the E. calabaricus? I've never seen them at Petco/Petsmart (and cruise through regularly looking for a random buy) but they regularly get bichirs and dragon gobies that someone could confuse fairly easily for ropefish. In fact even some books call bichirs "ropefish".

Best bet is probably going to be to get them ordered from Rachel or your favorite LFS and hope for the best.

Oh, and make extra sure you've got a completely sealed lid on your tank Sometimes they do like to go for walkabouts.

I am sure it was a E. Calabaricus I saw it with my own eyes. lol I thought it was a really neat fish and got curious and did the research.

What did you pay?

 

[Prince]

The had a few at H.O.T. this weekend.

 

[McFluffrichromis]

The had a few at H.O.T. this weekend.

Cool thanks I just told my friend.

 

[minifoot77]

pat would you stop referring to yourself in the third person we know who "my friend" is

 

[DonkeyFish]

LOL good one Caleb!

Pat, if "your friend" gets up there and doesn't buy them all LMK??
I paid between $21-$28 for mine. FWIW my LFS (Centreville Aquarium) has ordered them for me in the past. If they are on the list when he calls they'll come that next Tuesday.

 

[McFluffrichromis]

pat would you stop referring to yourself in the third person we know who "my friend" is

I dont know what you are talking about.:wacko:

 

[longstocking]

I have one... got it from frybabies many years ago. Maybe ask her.... not sure why she even had the one years ago :lol: Mine is a girl and very pretty... it's actually in with my husbands real snakes.

 

[DonkeyFish]

Sister, how did you sex it? Seems like there are 18,000 different opinions on how to do that...

I have one... got it from frybabies many years ago. Maybe ask her.... not sure why she even had the one years ago :lol: Mine is a girl and very pretty... it's actually in with my husbands real snakes.

 

[Tony]

I have one... got it from frybabies many years ago. Maybe ask her.... not sure why she even had the one years ago :lol: Mine is a girl and very pretty... it's actually in with my husbands real snakes.

The pythons never get tempted to go after her? Don't some people feed their constrictors goldfish?

 

[longstocking]

Tony, nope... plus she hides in the rocks most of the time..

yellow ones are girls... at least I think? LOL.... did the research years ago.