Some of the foods that you can provide to your elephant nose in captivity are:
- Bloodworms
- Tubifex
- Aquatic invertebrates (mosquito larvae being the most common of them)
- Black Fly
- Brine Shrimp
- Frozen flakes
- Artificial foods
What do elephant nose fish like to eat?
They eat small worms, with bloodworms appearing to be their favorite. They also eat mosquito larvae, flakes or frozen foods. Are elephant nose fish aggressive? No, they are generally peaceful, but when housed with a single other elephant nose fish, they can get aggressive How do you take care of an elephant nose fish?
What do baby elephants eat in the wild?
Feeding / Diet - They are primarily scavengers, who sense food with their nose, then bring it to their mouth, much like real elephants, except that the mouth is above the trunk, rather than below. They love brine shrimp and bloodworms, frozen or live, but will rarely accept flakes.
How do you take care of an elephant nose fish?
Elephant nose fish are unique, and a lot of care and consideration must go into looking after them. They need to be in the right water conditions at all times. Considering the fact that elephant nose fish are so demanding, and because they are nocturnal, elephant nose fish are not suited for most home aquariums.
What are the best plants for elephant nose fish tank?
Here are some of the best plants for the elephant nose fish’s tank: Java Moss: This plant doesn’t need much care, they are sturdy and grow slowly. They create nice looking lush beds that fan out and float in the current. Water Wisteria: It grows quickly and is great for keeping nitrates and ammonia under control.
What do elephant fish eat?
Elephant Nose Fish are carnivorous and eat a wide variety of meaty, protein-rich foods. In the wild, this usually means various insects and larvae, and you'll be replicating this rather closely in captivity as well.
How many elephant nose fish should be kept together?
It is best to keep just one to a tank and not with any other elephantnose species, unless the aquarium is extremely voluminous. In such aquaria, a group of 6 or more could be maintained together, but there must be ample swimming room and a plethora of visual barriers.
How do big nose fish eat?
They use their upturned mouths to gorge on small shellfish. Bignose fish are the males. They feed off of their huge livers and use their large nasal organs to sniff for females.
Can you keep elephant nose fish together?
0:294:11Elephant Nose Fish Care and Information - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipA social fish meaning that you can keep it with other fish. But they can be extremely territorial.MoreA social fish meaning that you can keep it with other fish. But they can be extremely territorial.
Are elephant nose fish nocturnal?
Elephantnoses are very timid and nocturnal. A very well planted tank with multiple hiding places in the form of driftwood, pots and pipes is a must, otherwise your elephant nose will be very stressed. Soft gravel is also necessary, so they don't damage their sensitive noses.
Are elephant fish smart?
Fish may be smarter than we thought. Not only can some recognize human faces, but others can use their senses in a way that it was believed only humans and other mammals could manage.
What do long nose gar eat?
In Florida longnose gars feed primarily on gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), and bullhead catfish. In coastal areas, longnose gars consume large numbers of menhaden. Long nose gars are ambush predators laying in wait or slowly stalking their prey. Longnose gars are primarily surface oriented feeders.
Can elephant nose fish live with cichlids?
0:181:06Elephant nose cichlid - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYeah it does the book now lethen oh yeah elephant nose cichlid.MoreYeah it does the book now lethen oh yeah elephant nose cichlid.
What do needle nose gar eat?
The Needle Nose Gar is a carnivore and should be fed a variety of live foods such as small fish and crustaceans. Caution needs to be exercised when feeding these fish, as they will readily bite the hand that feeds it.
How big do baby Whalefish get?
StatsSize8 InchesHardnessModerateDietCarnivoreLifespan10 yearsMinimum Tank Size30 Gallons2 more rows•Jul 19, 2021
Where is the mouth of an elephant nose fish?
The only difference with the elephant is that its mouth is above the trunk, not below it. The elephant nose fish can be well fed using Bloodworms, Mosquito Larvae, Black Fly, Brine Shrimp, and Tubifex. Some have been known to consume flake food or even frozen worms.
What is elephant nose called?
elephant trunkAn elephant trunk or elephant's trunk is the proboscis/nose of an elephant. An elephant's trunk contains 8 pairs of muscles (and 150,000 muscle fascicles) and can be about 6-8 feet long.
How long do elephant nose fish live?
The average lifespan of the Elephant Nose Fish is between 6 and 10 years. These fish can flourish and stick around for quite a while if you take care of them!
Why is it important to test elephant nose fish?
Because Elephant Nose Fish requires a lot of stability when it comes to water parameters, it’s important to run frequent water tests. Invest in a high-quality and accurate aquarium testing kit that you can rely on. This will enable you to make tweaks and adjustments with confidence.
What is the elephant fish's head called?
While the name suggests otherwise, this feature on their head is called a Schnauzenorgan and is actually an all-purpose navigating tool (among other things). It’s highly sensitive and connects to their mouth. The Elephant Fish uses this as their primary method to feel their way around the dirty waters.
What are the names of elephant fish?
They go by a number of additional common names, but the most popular are the Long-Nosed Elephant Fish, Ubangi mormyrid, Elephant Fish , and Peters’ Elephant Nose Fish (named after the individual who discovered them).
Why are elephant nose fish murky?
These waters are usually quite murky with low visibility. This is partly caused by the riverbed and debris that collect in the rivers, but also due to the very mild current they have. In these rivers, the Elephant Nose Fish has to navigate a number of obstacles in order to find something to eat.
What is the caudal peduncle on an elephant nose fish?
The caudal peduncle on an Elephant Nose Fish is extremely thin compared to the rest of their body. It’s not very long either and connects to a thin forked caudal fin that’s mostly black. These fish are usually black or dark brown with a white line that runs between the front ridge of the dorsal and anal fins.
Why is it so hard to take care of an elephant nose?
The reason for this is they’re relatively sensitive to suboptimal habitat conditions. Water quality, parameters, lighting, temperature, you name it.
Elephant Nose Fish Basics
Elephant Nose Fish originate from Africa, and are typically found in the countries of Niger and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, specifically in the Congo Basin. They inhabit dark, muddy waters with a lot of plant life. This species is classified as mormyrids because in comparison to other fish, they have very large brains.
What do Elephant Nose Fish Look Like?
Elephant nose fish have a gray or a very dark brown color, with some yellow-white stripes running along their side to the back of the fin. As the name suggests, they have a very long nose, similar to an elephants. The body is thin and long, with smooth features.
Tank Conditions For Elephant Nose Fish
Elephant nose fish have a love for digging, so you will often find them at the bottom of the tank digging up the substrate. They are accustomed to having a lot of plants, branches, and other debris in their natural environment.
Plants for Elephant Nose Fish
You will need certain types of plants for the elephant nose fish tank. They should have a dense root structure, be capable of keeping light out of the tank, and they must be able to tolerate low light levels. These plants must also have the ability to grow on rocks, driftwood, and in sand.
Tank Mates
Elephant nose fish are very sensitive to water parameters; therefore, you will need to prioritise this when choosing their tank mates. Their tank mates should be of the same temperament, and capable of tolerating the elephant nose fishes’ water conditions. Here are some of the best fish to pair with the elephant nose:
What to Feed Elephant Nose Fish
The elephant nose fish is carnivorous, they eat meat that is high in protein. In their natural environment they feed on insects and insect larvae. In particular, they love mosquitos and their larvae, so if they have a choice, that is their first pick. However, they also like whiteworms, bloodworms, and small earthworms.
Breeding Elephant Nose Fish
It is virtually impossible to breed elephant nose fish in a home aquarium, and this is due to their gender dysmorphism.
Where can I find elephant nose fish?
The Elephant Nose Fish is native to certain regions in Africa and is most commonly found in the Ogun River and the Niger River in Nigeria, and the Chari River in the Central African Republic. As its name suggests, the Elephant Nose fish has a most peculiar, long nose.
How big of a tank do elephant nose fish need?
Because the Elephant Nose Fish is quite a large species, we recommend a tank of at least 50 gallons. This will give them enough space to swim around. The tank should also be big enough to accommodate the extra items such as logs, plants, and rocks, as recommended earlier in this article.
What is the scientific name for an elephant nose fish?
Overview. The Elephant Nose Fish has the scientific name Gnathonemus petersii. This has led it to also being known as the Peter’s Elephant Nose Fish because it is thought to have originally been identified by someone named Wilhelm Peters. It is also sometimes referred to as the Long-Nosed Elephant Fish and the Ubangi Morymid.
Why is the elephant nose fish so sensitive?
The Elephant Nose Fish’s schnauzenorgan is highly sensitive to both touch and smell.
Why is it important to monitor elephant nose fish?
Because of its high level of sensitivity to its surroundings, the Elephant Nose fish does require a certain amount of attention. It will not do well if it does not have the most appropriate water conditions for the species. It is important to monitor the water conditions and parameters regularly.
Why do elephants have a pointed nose?
The Elephant Nose Fish uses its long, pointed nose to help it to find its way around the many obstacles that it encounters. It has to feel its way around a multitude of logs, roots, plants, rocks, and branches. For most fish, these obstacles present an almost insurmountable challenge.
Can an elephant nose fish be left in an aquarium?
We have already mentioned that this species is sensitive to its surroundings. It cannot be left to fend for itself in its tank, with no intervention from you.
Elephant Nose Fish Natural Habitat
Elephant nose fish are found naturally in the slow-moving, murky rivers of Africa namely the Niger, Chari, and Ogun rivers. Visibility is low in these water systems which is why this species relies on their ‘noses’ or schnauzenorgan as a navigating tool to find food.
Elephant Nose Fish Appearance and Size
Elephant nose fish are mainly black or brown in color and look like a cross between an elephant and a swordfish. They have a long, thin body with a few stripes. They don’t have abdominal fins and their pectoral (rear dorsal and anal) fins are the same length.
Elephant Nose Fish Behavior and Temperament
Elephant nose fish are usually peaceful in a community tank environment when housed with other species of like size and temperament. However, they often become aggressive and territorial with others of their kind. In the company of other elephant noses, they’ll harass smaller, weaker fish.
Elephant Nose Fish Diet
Elephant nose fish are mainly carnivorous and prefer to eat meaty, protein-rich foods. In the wild, they’ll typically munch on insects and insect larvae. In captivity, they’ll feast on bloodworms and brine shrimp as well as cut up earthworms, black flies, and tubifex (freeze-dried worms).
Elephant Nose Fish Lifespan
Elephant nose fish typically live between 6 to 8 years in captivity. Their lifespan can be increased to 10 years or more with proper care, adequate feedings, and a clean, safe aquatic environment. Regular tank maintenance is a must as well as housing them with peaceful tankmates.
Elephant Nose Fish Aquarium Water Parameters
The required water parameters for elephant nose fish include a temperature between 73- and 83- degrees Fahrenheit with a pH level ranging from 6.5 to 7.2 and a water hardness of 0-10 KH. Keeping their aquatic environment balanced is the key to their overall health and longevity.
Elephant Nose Fish Tank Requirements (Size and Setup)
Elephant nose fish grow to be quite large (8 to 9 inches long) by aquarium standards and therefore need a big tank. For just a single fish, you’ll need a 50-gallon tank minimum! Bigger is always better when it comes to an aquarium. The more space an elephant nose fish has, the less anxious and/or aggressive it’ll be.
What do elephants eat?
They love brine shrimp and bloodworms, frozen or live, but will rarely accept flakes. Tank Region - Bottom.
What is an elephantnose fish?
Elephantnose Fish are shy, sensitive fish, who need pristine water conditions to thrive.
Why are elephantnoses so delicate?
They are, in fact, so delicate, that they are used at government water departments in the USA and Germany to test the quality of the water. Whether this is humane or not is debatable; the point is that an elephantnose needs to be added to a fully cycled, mature tank. Elephantnoses are very timid and nocturnal.
Where do elephantnoses emit their pulses?
They emit small electrical pulses from an organ located inside their nose. The pulses will change with the mood of the fish. Female elephantnoses have shorter pulses, males longer. They also have very poor eyesight, so this organ helps them navigate around the tank.
Can fish breed in captivity?
Breeding - Very difficult to breed in captivity. Studies have shown that when introduced into aquaria, the electrical organ that is used to find food can get reversed from male to female, making it impossible for even the fish to tell the gender of their tank mates.
Quick Stats
Scientific Name- Gnathonemus petersii Common Name- Peters’ elephant-nose fish, elephant nose fish, elephantfish, long-nosed elephant fish, Ubangi mormyrid Tank size- 44 gallons and more Temperament- Aggressive Diet- Omnivorous bottom feeder Temperature- 23-28 °С (73,4-82,4°F) pH- 6.0-7.5 Size- up to 10 in (25 cm) Lifespan- up to 10 years
Elephant Nose Fish Habitat
Exotic Elephant Nose Fish is also known as the Nile elephant, or Peters elephant lives in the wild in the freshwater rivers of Africa, namely in the reservoirs of the central and western parts of the mainland.
Elephant Nose Fish Appearance
It should be noted that this Nile elephant fish is not a very large fish. In nature, it grows up to 22 cm, and in an aquarium, you can rarely find an individual longer than 15 cm.
Aquarium Maintenance
Elephant Nose Fish or Peters’s elephant is not too careless so that it can be recommended both for beginner aquarists and experienced specialists.
Aquarium Decoration
Since the elephant fish collects food from the bottom, looking for it with the help of its “trunk,” the best solution would be to use river sand or polished gravel with peat crumb as soil.
Elephant Nose Fish Feeding
Peters elephants will happily eat both live, frozen or dried food. During feeding, all pets must have enough food.
Elephant Nose Fish Tank Mates
Elephant fish are very peaceful. They get acquainted with other inhabitants of the aquarium quite interestingly – they gently touch them with their “trunks” without causing harm.
Species Summary
Appearance
Size
- The typical maximum size of an Elephant Nose Fish is around 9 inches in length.There have been reported instances where this species has exceeded this number by 2-3 inches, but that’s very uncommon. Author Note: This is an area where there’s a bit of misinformation being passed around. We’ve seen some aquarists on various forums suggesting these fish are only 4-5 inches …
Elephant Nose Fish Care
- Elephant Nose Care is not terribly difficult if you know what you’re doing, but it’s not a species you can keep on autopilot either. The reason for this is they’re relatively sensitive to suboptimal habitat conditions. Water quality, parameters, lighting, temperature, you name it. If it’s not in their ideal window their health will quickly suffer. That means if you’re someone who’s just getting sta…
Diet & Food Recommendations
- Elephant Nose Fish are carnivorous and eat a wide variety of meaty, protein-rich foods. In the wild, this usually means various insects and larvae, and you’ll be replicating this rather closely in captivity as well. Bloodwormsand brine shrimp seem to be their favorites, but you have other options as well. Mixing in some chopped up earthworms, tubif...
Behavior & Temperament
- The Elephant Nose Fish is a very interesting species when it comes to their temperament. These fish tend to be very mellow and peaceful when they’re on their own. They don’t like to cause trouble and simply want to do their own thing! However, they can get aggressive and territorial when housed with another fish of the same species. Their normally peaceful nature will disappe…
Elephant Nose Fish Tank Mates
- When it comes to choosing between your options for Elephant Nose Fish tank mates, there’s one thing you need to remember first: These fish need water parameter priority. What this means is you should plan around the needs of this species first. The water parameter requirements of your Elephant Nose should never change. If that means another fish you want doesn’t fit within their …
Breeding
- Breeding Elephant Nose Fish is something that’s extremely hard to do. There aren’t any records or reports about aquarists being able to breed this species in a home aquarium. One of the main reasons for this is that it’s basically impossible to identify the gender of this species. The only reliable way to do this is through dissection (which isn’t an option of course). In captivity, there a…
So, Are You Getting One?
- Now that you know the fundamentals of Elephant Nose Fish care, it’s time for you to decide if they’re right for you. Take some time to think about their unique requirements and do an honest assessment of your willingness to provide them. If you’re a beginner this is probably not a good fish for you, and if you’re experienced but want something low-maintenance you should pass as …
Physical Characteristics of Elephant Nose Fish
- The elephant nose fish is a unique fish that is kept by many those with aquariums. They are not like other species in the fact that they do not have scales and have a long thin trunk-looking nose. There are actually two types of elephant nose fish, but both can be kept by amateurs just as easily as each other. These fish tend to be longer than wider, and surprisingly, will actually eat out of th…
Feeding Habits of Elephant Nose Fish
- When it comes to feeding habits, Elephant Nose Fish are bottom feeders. They spend the majority of their time in the bottom part of the tank. However, they are very curious and will explore different areas of the tank, digging around in the substrate and plants to find food. Feeding them at regular intervals is essential to their health and well-being. Keep in mind that you should moni…
Diet and Feeding of Elephant Nose Fish
- What should you feed your Elephant Nose Fish? This carnivorous fish loves eating meat. You can give them a variety of meaty foods to supplement their diet. They also enjoy small earthworms and frozen worms. These fish are easy to maintain in a tank and are easy to care for. Listed below are the best foods to feed your elephant nose fish. Read on to...
Habitat
- The habitat of an Elephant Nose Fish is a deep, sandy or soft substrate that resembles the shape of an elephant’s trunk. Generally, the aquarium should be at least 50 gallons to provide ample room for this giant fish. However, a larger tank is recommended if you intend to keep other types of fish. Larger tanks provide more space for plants and decorations to enhance the aquarium’s a…
Habitat Preferences and Conditions
- This species of fish is known for its unique appearance. It is a gray or dark brown color, with yellow or white stripes, and has long, smooth features. This fish’s eyesight is poor, but they are able to navigate their aquarium using electrical impulses. Small groups of these fish will tolerate one another without being aggressive. Small groups of elephant nose fish should be kept in the …
Diseases
- There are several diseases that affect the elephant nose fish. Most of them are bacterial infections, and some are even parasitic. If not treated early enough, these infections can lead to the death of your fish. Fortunately, you can prevent or treat most of these problems by following proper hygiene and using broad-spectrum antibiotics. In some cases, treatment isn’t necessary. …
Water Conditions
- This unique tropical fish requires specific water conditions. They are sensitive to changes in their aquatic environment, which makes a weekly or biweekly water change essential. Keeping elephant nose fish in an aquarium with plants is ideal because the creatures need places to hide in, including sand caves and hollow logs. Changing the water regularly is also essential as they are …
Elephant Nose Fish Facts & Overview
Appearance & Behavior
Elephant Fish Care & Tank Requirements
Tank Mates
Diet and Feeding
- In the wild, elephant nose fish eat a carnivorous diet of small meaty foods such as shrimp, larvae, insects, and worms. Feed the fish a similar high-protein diet in captivity. Bloodworms and small pieces of shrimp are good live or frozen foods to include in an elephant fish’s diet. To ensure the fish’s diet is mixed and varied, provide tubifex, lar...
Breeding
Should You Get An Elephant Nose Fish For Your Aquarium?