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Elephant Nose Fish
Gnathonemus petersii
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Osteoglossiformes›Mormyridae
📍 Congo Basin & West Africa
Remarkable fish that produces weak electrical pulses to navigate murky water and communicate. The elongated 'trunk' is actually a modified chin lobe crammed with electroreceptors. Intelligent; requires dim lighting, hiding places, and pristine water.
Care Guide
Diet
Elephant Nose Fish are strict carnivores requiring live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, tubifex worms, and small aquatic invertebrates. Feed small portions once daily, as they have high metabolic rates and prefer frequent small meals over large feedings. They rarely accept prepared foods and may starve if live/frozen options are unavailable.
Behavior
Nocturnal and reclusive, these fish spend daylight hours hiding in caves and dense vegetation, becoming more active at dusk. They use weak electrical discharges to navigate and communicate, making them sensitive to tank disturbances and sudden light changes. Generally peaceful but may prey on very small fish; they are intelligent and can recognize their keeper.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is extremely rare and poorly documented. They require very specific conditions including pristine water, large territories, and compatible pairs, which are difficult to establish in home aquaria. Most specimens in the hobby are wild-caught, and successful breeding has not been reliably achieved by hobbyists.
Tank Mates
Mid-water schooling fish that avoid the bottom; peaceful and prefer similar soft, acidic water conditions
Small, peaceful schooling fish that occupy upper water column and thrive in the dim lighting and soft water this species requires
Both are nocturnal bottom-dwellers; may compete for hiding spaces but generally tolerate each other if tank is large enough
Nocturnal bottom-dweller that shares similar habitat preferences and is peaceful; minimal competition for food
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, flashing against objects, labored breathing, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform frequent water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment; maintain pristine water quality
Bacterial Infections
Fin rot, body lesions, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, erratic swimming
Perform large water changes immediately, improve filtration and aeration, use antibiotic medications if severe; address underlying water quality issues
Nutritional Deficiency
Lethargy, fading coloration, stunted growth, refusal to eat, curved spine
Ensure varied diet of high-quality live/frozen foods; supplement with vitamin-enriched preparations; maintain consistent feeding schedule
Stress-Related Illness
Hiding excessively, loss of appetite, weakened immune response, susceptibility to secondary infections
Provide ample hiding places, maintain dim lighting, minimize tank disturbances, ensure pristine water conditions (pH 6.0-7.5, soft water)
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- diet
- carnivore/live worms
- maxSize
- 9 inches
- minTankSize
- 50 gallons
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C