elephant-nose fish

C

coolfool

AC Members
Feb 21, 2006
20
0
0
Hi,

I am interested in starting a new fresh water tank centered around elephant-nose fish. I have been doing some research on them and would like to know if someone can tell me who they get along with and if they are relatively easy to keep.

Thanks for your help :thm:
 
Last edited:
First off, welcome to the site! :bday:

From a soon to be 14 year old to a soon to be 13 year old: Elephant noses can grow to 9 inches, and need a fairly large tank, since they grow to 9 inches. They like to be in groups of at least 3-5 fish and they prefer subdued lighting (you can achieve this by putting cardboard at intervals between the hood and the splash guard. They like planted tanks, with plenty of hiding spots (upturned flowerpots, caves, pipes, etc.) They prefer a pH of around 6-7.2, but aren't too picky as long as it remains constant (doesn't change too much). It can be kept with other community fish, but shouldn't be kept with cichlids. For food, they'll eat many live foods such as Tubifex, eathworms, brine shrimp, and Artemia, freeze-dried and frozen foods, and some will take flakes.

Also, it uses a small electrical organ to find food, and shouldn't be kept with different fish that use one too.

Its good that you did some research before getting the fish, and if you need any more help, clarification, whatever, just ask!

Freddy :dive2:
 
thanks freddy, i'll keep you posted as i get closer to setting up my new tank.
Also what type of filtration is best to use?


thanks,

oscar :dance:
 
what size tank are you looking at?
 
For filtration, I'd go with a hang-over-the-back power filter. I have an AquaClear, I love it.

Or you could do a canister filter, or an undergravel filter combined with one of the other two.
 
Here is the species profile, in case you hadn't checked it out yet. I think you can only do groups of these guys in very large tanks. IMO, they are really cool fish, but they need quite particular tank environments to be kept happy, plus they aren't cheap to buy, so you really want to do things right if you plan to have one of these guys. Also keep in mind the live food issue, not a big deal, but it is not as cheap and easy as buying some flakes, or snatching the occasional vegetable from moms salad:)

Elephantnose
AKA: Peter's Elephantnose
Gnathonemus petersii (Gunther, 1862)


Temperment Sociability Min. Tank Availability Area
Beware Solitary 45 gallons Common Bottom-Middle


The Elephantnose is native to the warm freshwaters of tropical Africa. These fish are not bred commercially, but are imported for sale. Though they can be expensive, their oddity makes them of interest.

This fish possesses and electrical organ. They have electricity-generating cells that radiate a magnetic field around the fish, which assists navigation in the darkness.

House this oddity in a large tank with plants for shelter. The Elephantnose is nocturnal, and so it should be provided with dark areas where it can hide. Because of its shy, delicate nature and its occasional aggressive behavior, be aware when introducing the Elephantnose into a community aquarium. These fish burrow and need a soft, sandy bottom. One Elephantnose is recommended per tank as it becomes aggressive towards its own kind.

Gnathonemus petersii can be a playful fish. With its surprisingly flexible long nose, it will dig and feel around in search of food. It generally ignores prepared dry foods, hence live foods must be available to the owner. Because of its small mouth, the Elephantnose can only swallow small bits.

Provide this oddball fish with a water pH around 6.6-7.4 and a temperature range between 72-82 degrees F.

It is said that sexing can be done by observing the anal fin; the fish with the more curved end to the anal fin is the male. Breeding in captivity has not been successful.
 
thank you freddy i have a hangover filter, it is the marine land penguin and it make s the water clear of nitrate,nitrite andammonia on contact, in your oppinion is aquaclear better than marineland?



thanks!!!! :)
 
cool fool, check out the cycling stickys. It is something you need to do before you add fish. There is NO filter that removes all of that from the water, and if a store told you that, they are giving you terrible information
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom