The reedfish, ropefish (more commonly used in the United States), or snakefish, Erpetoichthys calabaricus, is a species of fish in the family Polypteridae alongside the bichirs.

[14] The reedfish inhabits slow-moving or standing, fresh or brackish, relatively warm tropical water, and usually in places with reeds or other dense plant growth.

Larvae hatch rapidly (after 70 hours) but remain attached to vegetation; they become independent and start to feed after ~22 days, when the egg's yolk sac has been consumed.

[4] In coastal central Africa, the species is threatened by habitat loss, driven by the development of oil palm plantations.

Populations in western Africa are impacted by degradation and loss of habitat from wetland drainage for agricultural and urban developments.

Since they have a peaceful nature, other fish may "bully" a reedfish, despite its large size, especially in competition for food or space.

[citation needed] They can be difficult to keep; they will jump and enter pumps to escape tanks and frequently die as a result, and they can be sensitive to pH swings and nitrogen chemistry.

[20] Often small feeder goldfish and minnows are eaten in place of bloodworms or nightcrawlers, and other commercially available live fish food.