Elephantnose question/opinions

N

nato435

AC Members
Oct 22, 2002
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Fresno, CA
Looking for some input on this fish... saw it at a LFS today, looks like a fun fish. A little expensive, but would be a great addition if all goes well. I've been reading that it is a nocturnal.. but the LFS says that it is blind and a ghost tunnel will make it be less stressed if in a lit tank. Anyone have some experience with this fish to help me out??

Will be kept w/ 2 angels a common pleco, and 2 blackfin sharks in a 30G tank.

TIA
-Nato
 
There are some older threads that discusses the Elephant nose to death. Review the threads and you will fall in love with them.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1934

here is a good thread of them.... near the end..it became more of I know more than you do match, but it does have some GREAT info!

They are nocturnal, but once they get to know their environment, they will come out alot. Provide a dark cave (not a "see through" tunnel")
 
I agree, read the previous threads. Just look for the ones with locks on them, since they turned into screaming matches.

In response to its tank/tankmates, I don't think this is a great fish to put in that tank, unfortunately.

These fish can reach sizes of over a foot. They like to have anywhere from 20-40 gallons of water all to themselves. They aren't blind (your lfs must not be very familiar with the species). They have excellent vision, but prefer darker habitats, since they are nocturnal. Hiding places are essential. They will get into territorial spats with other bottom dwellers like plecos, shark catfish, and the like, usually without injury, but stressful nonetheless.

They are a very intelligent and interesting fish, but I do recommend a bigger tank than what you've got in order for them to be at their best.
 
Originally posted by pinballqueen
I agree, read the previous threads. Just look for the ones with locks on them, since they turned into screaming matches.

In response to its tank/tankmates, I don't think this is a great fish to put in that tank, unfortunately.

These fish can reach sizes of over a foot. They like to have anywhere from 20-40 gallons of water all to themselves. They aren't blind (your lfs must not be very familiar with the species). They have excellent vision, but prefer darker habitats, since they are nocturnal. Hiding places are essential. They will get into territorial spats with other bottom dwellers like plecos, shark catfish, and the like, usually without injury, but stressful nonetheless.

They are a very intelligent and interesting fish, but I do recommend a bigger tank than what you've got in order for them to be at their best.
Click to expand...

I agree with most of what Pinball queen says. except for 2 things:

1.) They are nearly "blind" they use their electrical pulses to find food and locations.
2.) Size.. the "common" elephant nose gets to only 7-9 inches.
3.) Territorial spats- only chases some of the fish (bottom dwellers) and only at feeding times (most of the time). My elephant nose ignores the bigger fish. Angels would not cause a conflict. It would only conflict with your 2 sharks. They cant cause injury..no teeth to bite..they have a nose they use to nudge the other fish.

Agreed with the tank size... a 30 gallon is to small for them. As for tank mates, angels would be fine. No big deal.
 
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Maybe dolphins are more aggressive....

Mom's got into fights with her redfin shark on a regular basis over territory. They both wanted to be under the driftwood, and would get into massive shoving matches that would leave the redfin with missing scales and the dolphin with scratches all over his sides...he also fought with the pleco on a regular basis, until they established some kind of heirarchy.

IMO, a semi-agressive fish such as an angel might be a bit nippy to keep with something with skin that sensitive...

BTW, most nocturnal species have vision problems in broad daylight. Mormyrids have excellent night vision, however. They just have very light-sensitive eyes (much like an owl does, and their vision is twice as crisp as a human...)
 
Yea.. Mine also chases the red tail shark, Yoyo loaches, and the petricola Catfish.

The red tail shark doesnt chase the elephant nose, he/she swims away. The Yoyos swims away also. However the petricola catfish totally ignores the elephant nose. The elephant nose keeps nudgeing them and they just sit there, sometimes they do swim away, but its kind of funny, watching this :)

I have heard that each elephant nose has its own "personality". One can be AGGRESSIVE and another, totally friendly.

Provide more than one hiding space and there will less fighting.

He ignores my 3 Plecos and 3 skunk cories.
 
I plan on getting a 100 gallon in a year or so.. do you think it would be okay for now to keep this fish in the 30 until then? Or should i just wait and hope to find one around again?? First time I've seen one in any of the store around here in 4 month that I've been "looking" at fish in a detailed manner. LFS says they don't get them very often either, thats why I'm looking so closely. If you think that is within enough time to grow into the bigger tank I'll go for it.

Why the no salt?? Something to do w/ their skin?

Thanks
-Nato
 
a 30 gallon can be tight for them. Especially with your other fish. The elephant nose will not be happy with those catfish! I would say just wait untill you get the 100 gallon tank. Much less stress on all the fish in the tank. I dont know about fresno, but Elephant noses are very common (maybe 1 in 5 LFS would carry them) here in the san fernando Valley, CA. I would say Wait. Best for everyone involved. A great, fun, adventurious fish to include in your 100 gallon community
 
Get only 1. If you want more then one..buy 5 or more (spreads the aggresion) and have many dark caves for them. Oh.. They GROW VERY SLOWLY! I had mine a year and he/she grew only 1/2 inch if that..... Try to buy a small one. I seen the stores sell them from 2 inches..all the way up to 7 inches..
 
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