elephant nose

[roxie]

I HAVE A 29 GAL. THAT IS CURRENTLY CYCLING AND INTERESTED IN GETTING A COUPLE OF ELEPHANT NOSE FOR IT, WHAT OTHER FISH WOULD GO GOOD WITH THESE FISH?

 

[ryan]

Gnathonemus petersi or the Elephant Nose are quite shy fish that are often strictly nocturnal and require plenty of hiding spaces with subdued lighting. In time they will become more confident and emerge during the day but during the settling in period feed before lights out to ensure they can feed. They should be kept singly as they are quite aggressive towards their own species. They are a member of the electric fish family and emit a small electrical charges when searching for food etc. They are very sensitive to water quality and some water companies use them to test their water. As long as the fish are peaceful and won't cause the Elephant Nose any harm then most are ok, I personally might keep them with a smaller species of Asain Spiny Eels or maybe some surface dwellers like African Butterfly fish?

These are actually Oddballs.

 

[Lateral Line]

The vast majority of Mormyrids are aggressive towards their own kind in a small tank. They are not really suitable cycling fish either, and can be quite difficult to feed.

I'll move this to OddBalls, as they are neither Cyprinids nor Characins - perhaps you'll get better info there.

 

[roxie]

THANK YOU FOR THE INFO. SO SHOULD I JUST PUT ONE IN THE TANK? I AM GOING TO WAIT ABOUT 3 MORE WEEKS BEFORE ADDING THE ELEPHANT NOSE, THE TANK IS ONLY 1 WEEK INTO CYCLING

 

[ryan]

I would add the other fish first and let the tank establish before adding the Elephant Nose, roughly 6 weeks is when the tank is fully established IMO. Yes, I would only add one.

 

[bryce2003]

What are the dimensions of your tank? Sorry I'm not used to the size of tanks being indicated by gallon's as we use feet and inches to indicate ours here in Australia.
The other thing is that dependant on the size of the tank would depend on the amount of Elephant Noses that I would add. I have an 8ft tank that has 2 in it. Yes they do chase each other around the tank but they are also able to go off and do their own thing.
As for tank mates, IMO definately BGK's, Clown Loaches, Asian Bumblee Catfish, different types of Corydora's, Plecostomus of some description and a couple of Humpheads. These are just a few of the many fish that I have in my tank and have had no drama's with them what so ever.
When you do add them try to get them young and or around the same size as I have found through my own experiences that they seem to have a greater tolerance of each other if they grow together.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Bryce.