The elephant nose fish (Gnathonemus petersii) is a unique species of freshwater fish that has a unique combination of looks and behavior. They make a great addition to any freshwater tank, but proper care and maintenance is required to ensure their health.
In this guide, we will explore the appearance and behavior of the elephant nose fish, their lifespan, care and tank requirements, tank mates, diet and feeding, and breeding.
Overview and Quick facts
Here are some quick facts about Elephant Nose Fish:
- Description:
- Size:
- Can grow up to 14 inches (35 cm) in length, although around 9 inches (23 cm) is common2.
- Diet:
- Habitat:
- Found in slow-moving waters in large rivers in Western Africa2.
- Social Behavior:
- IUCN Red List Status:
- Classified as “Least Concern”2.
- Other Names:
- Electroreception:
- Weakly electric, meaning it can detect moving prey and worms in the substrate by generating brief electric pulses with the electric organ in its tail4.
- Electroreceptors around its body are sensitive enough to detect the different distortions of the electric field made by objects that conduct or resist electricity4.
- Hearing:
- Can hear sounds in the range of 100-2500 Hz, with best hearing demonstrated between 300-600 Hz2.
- Aquarium Care:
- Timid and prefers a heavily planted environment with subdued lighting4.
- Thrives in a tank of more than 200 liters (44 imp gal; 53 US gal)4.
- Favourable additions to the fish’s aquarium environment are a pipe or hollow log, alongside soft, sandy substrate, allowing the fish to sift through it with its delicate extended lip4.
This section provides an overview and quick facts about the Elephant Nose Fish, including its size, habitat, diet, and other important information.
The Elephant Nose Fish, or Gnathonemus petersii, is a unique species of freshwater fish native to the Congo River basin in Africa. It has a long, slender body with a bulbous nose-like protrusion on the front of its head, and is typically between 8-11 inches in length. It has a gray to brown body color, with darker brown stripes and spots along its sides.
The Elephant Nose Fish is a peaceful, nocturnal species that is best kept with other peaceful fish in an aquarium of at least 30 gallons. It prefers a soft, sandy substrate and plenty of hiding places, as well as exploring personality through tank decorations.
It is an omnivore that feeds on worms, insects, and plant matter, but it will also accept prepared foods such as flake and freeze-dried foods.
The Elephant Nose Fish is an interesting species to observe and care for. It is not difficult to maintain, but it does require clean, warm water conditions and a varied diet. With the right care, the Elephant Nose Fish can live up to 10 years or more.
Appearance & Behavior
What does the Elephant Nose Fish look like, and how does it behave?
This unique fish species is native to Africa and is instantly recognizable due to its long snout-like nose. They are typically black and grey with spots and stripes, and have a maximum size of around 6 inches. Elephant Nose Fish are nocturnal, so they are most active at night. During the day, they tend to stay hidden amongst the plants and tank decor.
These fish are quite social and can be kept in groups of 3-5 as long as their tank is large enough. They are also very curious creatures and can be seen exploring their environment and tank decor. They are also relatively easy to care for, but do require a few specific conditions in order to thrive. The water temperature should be between 75-83°F with a PH of 6.5-7.5. They also require plenty of hiding spots, as well as plenty of plants or driftwood for tank decorating and socializing.
Elephant Nose Fish can make an interesting addition to any home aquarium, provided that the proper conditions are met. With the right tank setup and a bit of patience, these fish can be a great addition to any tank.
Lifespan
Given the proper care, Elephant Nose Fish can live up to 8 years. However, several factors can influence their life span, such as:
- Interpreting Signs:
- Changes in activity level
- Appetite
- Fins
- Health Issues:
- Water parameters
- Infections
- Parasites
To ensure a long life for your Elephant Nose Fish, it is important to interpret the signs they are giving. If you notice changes in their behaviour, such as a decrease in activity level or appetite, or signs of fin damage, it could be an indication of a health issue. Health issues can range from water parameters being off, to infections or parasites. If you notice any changes in your fish, it is best to take them to a vet for treatment.
Care and tank requirements
When it comes to care and tank requirements, Elephant Nose Fish require specific conditions in order to be healthy and thrive. The ideal water temperature for these fish should be between 74-79°F (23-26°C). They should also be kept in tanks of at least 20 gallons, although larger is better. When setting up the tank, make sure to include some dim lighting, as they prefer to have low light conditions. It should also contain a sandy or muddy substrate, as well as plenty of hiding places. These fish are also territorial, so it’s important to make sure they have enough space to establish and protect their own habitat.
It’s best to keep only one Elephant Nose Fish in a tank as they can become aggressive towards other fish. If you do decide to keep multiple fish, make sure to give them plenty of space and hiding places. Also, be sure to provide them with a good filter, as they produce a lot of waste and need to have clean water conditions.
Lastly, it’s important to feed them a variety of live and frozen foods, as well as algae wafers. With proper care and tank requirements, Elephant Nose Fish can live up to 8-10 years in an aquarium.
Tank Mates
Elephant nose fish, also known as the Elephantfish or Peter’s Elephantnose Fish, can be kept with a variety of tank mates that are compatible with their specific needs. Here are some suitable tank mates for elephant nose fish:
- Peaceful community fish: Tetras, Rasboras, Danios, and small peaceful catfish like Corydoras can coexist peacefully with elephant nose fish.
- Other peaceful bottom-dwelling species: Bristlenose Plecos and Otocinclus Catfish make good companions for elephant nose fish as they occupy different areas of the tank.
- Small non-aggressive cichlids: Dwarf cichlids like Apistogramma species can form a harmonious community with elephant nose fish.
- Mollies or Guppies: These livebearers are generally peaceful and can be good additions to an elephant nose aquarium.
Fishes To avoid with Elephant nose:
- Aggressive or fin-nipping fish: Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species like tiger barbs, cichlids, danios, and larger tetras as they can stress out the elephant nose fish.
- Fish that require significantly different water conditions: Elephant nose fish prefer soft and slightly acidic water while some other species may require hard and alkaline conditions. It is best to choose tankmates that have similar temperature and pH requirements to ensure they thrive together.
- Fast-moving or overly active fish: The elephant nose has a unique swimming style being relatively slow movers due to their elongated body shape and extended lower jaw appendage. Choosing fast-swimming or highly active species like danios may make the elephant nose feel threatened or stressed.
- Predatory fish: Avoid putting any predatory species in the same tank as the peaceful elephant nose, as it may become an easy target for larger predators
It is important to note that personality traits vary among individual fishes, so it is always a good idea to monitor their behavior after introducing new tank mates to ensure compatibility and minimize any potential aggression issues.
Diet and Feeding
Elephant Nose Fish require a balanced diet consisting of both live and prepared foods. Stomach capacity is small, so it’s best to feed them multiple times a day with small meals. Common food types include brine shrimp, bloodworms, blackworms, and tubifex. It’s important to provide dietary diversity so they get the full range of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Live foods, such as mosquito larvae, daphnia, and fruit flies, offer a great source of nutrition. Prepared foods, such as flakes, freeze-dried, and frozen foods are also suitable for Elephant Nose Fish.
It’s important to feed the fish a variety of foods to ensure a balanced diet. If the fish only eat one type of food, they may develop nutritional deficiencies. Feeding the Elephant Nose Fish too much can lead to health issues as well, so be sure to only give them what they can eat in a few minutes. Pay attention to how much food is in the tank, as too much uneaten food can cause water quality problems. Avoid feeding the fish too many treats, as they can cause digestive issues and other health problems.
Breeding
Although breeding Elephant Nose Fish can be a difficult and complex process, it is not impossible. To successfully breed Elephant Nose Fish, there are a few important factors to consider:
Tank Setup:
- The tank should be as large as possible to ensure the fish have enough room to swim.
- The tank should have plenty of hiding spots and places to rest.
- The water should be well-filtered and oxygenated.
Breeding Strategies:
- If possible, it is best to have a pair of Elephant Nose Fish in the tank.
- The tank should also be planted with plenty of live plants, as this will act as a breeding ground for the adults and their young.
- The water temperature should be slightly elevated to encourage breeding.