Pet Breed Guide NZ
Rope Fish
Rope Fish is a medium fish originating from West Africa. It is not on MPI’s approved species list for ornamental fish imports, so it cannot legally be brought into New Zealand for the aquarium trade and is effectively unavailable here. Typical lifespan is 15-18 years.
Photo Gallery
NZ Ownership Snapshot
Prohibited in NZ- Noise Level
- quiet
- Social Needs
- groups
- Water Type
- freshwater
Not listed on Schedule 4 (Approved Species) of MPI's Import Health Standard: Ornamental Fish and Marine Invertebrates (ORNAMARI.ALL, 20 September 2021) — species not on the schedule cannot be imported. Verified 4 September 2026. Source: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/17425-Ornamental-fish-and-marine-invertebrates-from-all-countries-Import-Health-Standard
Breed Snapshot
- Size
- medium
- Lifespan
- 15-18 years
- Origin
- West Africa
- Care Focus
- Best researched for compatible tank mates, grouping, and stable water conditions.
- NZ Price
- NOT AVAILABLE IN NZ — no lawful source or price. The rope fish is not on MPI's approved import list for ornamental fish.
NZ Lifestyle Fit
Not available as a pet in New Zealand. The rope fish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus) is not on Schedule 4 (Approved Species) of MPI's Import Health Standard for ornamental fish (ORNAMARI.ALL), and MPI says a species that isn't included in an import health standard can't be imported. We found no evidence of any held legally in New Zealand, so there is no legal way to buy or keep one here.
About the Rope Fish
The Rope Fish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus) is a truly unique and ancient species, often considered a 'living fossil' due to its primitive characteristics. Hailing from the freshwater environments of West Africa, particularly in countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, and Congo, these fascinating fish are known for their eel-like bodies and a series of small, individual dorsal finlets rather than a single continuous fin. They are not true eels but belong to the Polypteridae family, related to bichirs. Rope Fish are nocturnal and crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn, dusk, and nighttime, exploring their environment for food. With a potential lifespan of 15 to 18 years, they represent a significant long-term commitment for any aquarist. Their calm demeanour and intriguing appearance make them a popular choice for experienced freshwater enthusiasts looking for something out of the ordinary.
What They Look Like
Distinguished by their long, slender, snake-like bodies, Rope Fish can grow to an impressive length of up to 50-60 centimetres in a suitable aquarium environment, though they are often smaller in captivity. Their colouration typically ranges from olive green to brown on the dorsal side, fading to a lighter yellow or cream on their belly, often with a subtle marbled pattern. They possess small, pectoral fins that resemble paddles and a series of 8-15 small, individual dorsal finlets along their back, which are a hallmark of their species. Their eyes are relatively small, and they have a unique, almost cartilaginous skeletal structure. These fish also have a pair of functional lungs, allowing them to breathe atmospheric air, which is a key adaptation for their natural habitat where water quality can fluctuate.
Personality & Behaviour
Rope Fish are generally peaceful and shy, preferring to spend their days hidden amongst plants, driftwood, or rockwork. They are primarily bottom-dwellers and will often be seen resting on the substrate or slowly gliding through the lower levels of the tank. Despite their predatory nature, they are not aggressive towards tank mates that are too large to be considered food. They are social animals and thrive best when kept in groups of three or more, which encourages more active and confident behaviour. When kept alone, they can become withdrawn and stressed. Their nocturnal habits mean they are most active after the lights go out, diligently searching for food with their keen sense of smell. They are known for their ability to squeeze through incredibly small gaps, so a secure, tightly fitting lid is absolutely essential for their enclosure.
Life in New Zealand
The Rope Fish cannot be legally imported into New Zealand. It is not on Schedule 4 (Approved Species) of MPI's Import Health Standard for ornamental fish, and MPI says a species that isn't included in an import health standard can't be imported. We found no evidence of any held legally here, so there is no lawful way to buy or keep one as a pet. Its relatives in the Polypteridae family are an option: several bichirs, including the ornate bichir (Polypterus ornatipinnis) and the grey bichir (Polypterus senegalus senegalus), are on MPI's approved import list.
Is This the Right Pet for You?
No, not in New Zealand. Rope Fish cannot be legally imported and none are known to be held legally here, so they are not an option for NZ aquarists. If their eel-like shape and air-breathing habit appeal to you, look at the approved bichirs mentioned above instead.
Fun Facts
Fact 1
Rope Fish possess both gills and a pair of primitive lungs, allowing them to breathe atmospheric air, a trait that helps them survive in low-oxygen waters.
Fact 2
They are often called 'living fossils' because their lineage dates back millions of years, with very few changes in their physical form.
Fact 3
Despite their snake-like appearance, Rope Fish are not true eels but belong to the ancient Polypteridae family, which also includes bichirs.
Fact 4
Rope Fish are expert escape artists and can squeeze through incredibly small openings, making a completely secure tank lid essential.
Fact 5
They have a keen sense of smell, which they use to locate food in their natural, often murky, habitats and in the aquarium.
Related Breeds
Discus
Discus is a medium fish originating from Amazon River. It is listed on Schedule 4 (approved species) of MPI’s Import Health Standard for ornamental fish, so it can be legally imported and sold through the NZ aquarium trade. MPI classes it as a higher-risk species with additional import quarantine conditions. Typical lifespan is 10-15 years.
Blue Acara
Blue Acara is a medium fish originating from South America. It is listed on Schedule 4 (approved species) of MPI’s Import Health Standard for ornamental fish, so it can be legally imported and sold through the NZ aquarium trade. Typical lifespan is 7-10 years.
Blue Tang
Blue Tang is a medium fish originating from Indo-Pacific. It is listed on Schedule 4 (approved species) of MPI’s Import Health Standard for ornamental fish, so it can be legally imported and sold through the NZ aquarium trade. Typical lifespan is 8-20 years.
Oscar Fish
The Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is a large, heavily built cichlid from the slow-moving waters of the Amazon basin, nicknamed the water puppy of the aquarium hobby for its habit of watching its keeper, responding to movement outside the glass and taking food by hand. Adults reach 30 to 45 centimetres and live 10 to 15 years, and a single adult needs a minimum of 250 litres. Oscars are intelligent and opinionated: they dig up substrate, shift ornaments to suit themselves, and can turn territorial towards smaller or more docile tank mates. They are messy, heavy-waste feeders, so powerful filtration and weekly water changes of 25 to 30 per cent matter more here than with most community fish. Wild colouring is mottled olive to brown with orange eye-spots near the tail, and albino, red, tiger and veil-tailed forms are also kept. Best suited to experienced aquarists with the space for a very large tank.
Angelfish
The Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) is a tall, disc-shaped freshwater cichlid from the slow-moving waters of the Amazon basin, recognised instantly by its long, trailing dorsal and anal fins. Adults reach around 15cm in length and 20cm in height including those fins, and can live 10 to 15 years, so the species is a long commitment rather than a starter fish. Angelfish are semi-aggressive by nature: usually calm in a settled community tank, but territorial while breeding or when kept in cramped quarters, and small tank mates may be treated as prey. They do best in groups of four to six in a tank of at least 120 litres, where a lone fish tends to become withdrawn. Selective breeding has produced marble, koi, black, albino and veiled forms alongside the wild silver body with dark vertical stripes. Angelfish suit intermediate aquarists who can hold water parameters steady and plan tank mates with care.
Fire Eel
Fire Eel is a large fish originating from Southeast Asia. It is listed on Schedule 4 (approved species) of MPI’s Import Health Standard for ornamental fish, so it can be legally imported and sold through the NZ aquarium trade. MPI classes it as a higher-risk species with additional import quarantine conditions. Typical lifespan is 10-18 years.