Elephant Nose

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Meddling Kid

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Jun 3, 2010
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What can anyone tell me about these? I think they look cool and I want one, but I've read a lot of stuff that says "semi-aggressive". They have such a weird look to them, I find it hard to believe that they could actually hurt other fish with that weird mouth.

Anyone have any experience? Or know anyone who had one? lol
 

XanAvaloni

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Nov 13, 2009
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Wow, fascinating creature indeed! There seems to be a fair amount of information about them, unfortunately much of it--particularly about temperment--is contradictory. Wiki says you shouldn't keep more than one in an aquarium, while several commenters at Badmans say they keep several in a tank with no issues. Everybody does seem to agree that they are non-aggressive to other fish. Of course they need a consideraby bigger tank (40g minimum seems to be the consensus for one) than I am likely to have in the near future if ever. :(

The thing about the electrical field and being able to hear their sonar clicks with earbuds (see the Wiki article) is v. cool. :)
 

vr6fan

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May 30, 2010
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I have one in a 55..very cool fish. they are night feeders so you have to feed them either at night or with the lights out..mine eats bloodworms right out of my hand. not agressive at all but you dont see them much they hide out a lot
 

Meddling Kid

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Jun 3, 2010
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sweet! I'm probably gonna get one then. I have a 75g tank so size isnt an issue, and if they aren't aggressive to OTHER fish then thats all I need to know. I guess they're just territorial against their own kind? They're kinda expensive anyway so I wasn't planning on getting more than 1. Thanks for the information = )
 

fishorama

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Jun 28, 2006
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Make sure you can provide the type of food he'll eat & that he's used to "dead" foods. Many years ago we had 1 & he slowly starved no matter what we offered. See him eat before you buy.
 

user_name

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May 23, 2010
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very interesting species, from what I've heard they aren't very agressive, but some individuals are. Make sure to post a few pictues of them in your tank!!!!
 

SubRosa

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Jul 3, 2009
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yep, they tend to be territorial with their own kind. i would also keep them with other larger fish as well, since no fish can be trusted with others small enough to fit in its mouth.
Jon have you ever looked closely at the mouth of an Elephantnose? The mouth is a tiny little circular opening that shows extreme specialization for feeding on worms. Even one as large as 8" can't swallow an adult male feeder Guppy.
 

sonycrr

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Feb 18, 2010
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i have one
not aggressive at all
eats live black worms, frozen blood worms, live/frozen brine shrimp
and is active more at night but does come out during the day to explore
one of my favorite fish in my tank
 

vr6fan

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May 30, 2010
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madison, wi
yep sonycrr urs sounds just like mine...he is a bit aggressive towards the other fish if they come by his hiding cave i built for him but other than that what a cool fish..he swims around my hand even when i dont have food..very inquisitive..I have yet to have mine eat anything other than frozen bloodworms but ill try other stuff...you will be happy if you get one really cool fish
 
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