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Elephant Nose Fish

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Gnathonemus petersii

Complete Elephant Nose Fish care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 55 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Advanced.

Elephant Nose Fish

Quick Answer

Elephant Nose Fish (Gnathonemus petersii) is a fascinating African fish named for its trunk-like chin extension, which it uses to probe substrate for food. It requires a minimum 55 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.2 and temperature range of 24-28°C. This carnivore occupies the bottom zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Elephant Nose Fish (Gnathonemus petersii) is a fascinating African fish named for its trunk-like chin extension, which it uses to probe substrate for food. It uses a weak electrical field for navigation.

Setup

A 55-gallon or larger tank with fine sand substrate, driftwood, and caves. Dim lighting and excellent filtration. They are very sensitive to nitrates and require pristine water.

Feeding

Carnivorous; eats live/frozen foods: bloodworms, blackworms, brine shrimp, and sinking carnivore pellets. Feed after lights out.

Compatibility

Peaceful but territorial with its own kind. Keep singly or in groups of 5+ in very large tank. Tankmates must be peaceful: Congo Tetras, large rasboras, Corydoras.

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Tank Position
Bottom
Water Temp
24-28°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.2

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Carnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Butterflyfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet semanticSimilarity African Cichlid Care Guide: Tank Size & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Bala Shark Care Guide: Tank Size & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Elephant Nose Fish should be kept together?
Keep only one per tank unless you maintain a group of 5 or more in a massive aquarium (150+ gallons/568 liters) with a footprint of 72x24 inches (180x60 cm). Elephant nose fish (Gnathonemus petersii) use weak electrical signals to communicate; small groups of 2-3 individuals cause intense fighting, leading to barbel damage, torn fins, and death. A single adult requires a minimum of 55 gallons (208 liters) with multiple PVC pipe caves and fine sand substrate. Provide at least 3 hiding spots per fish. Avoid with aggressive or competitive bottom feeders.
What are the exact water parameters for Elephant Nose Fish?
Target pH 6.5 - 7.2, General Hardness 3 - 10 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 2 - 6 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 80 - 200 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 160 - 400 μS/cm (low conductivity is critical for their electroreception), and temperature 75°F - 82°F (24°C - 28°C). They require extremely clean, stable water; nitrates below 10 ppm with weekly 30% water changes. Use a canister filter with gentle flow (strong currents disrupt their electrolocation). Fine sand substrate is mandatory to protect their delicate trunk appendage. Ammonia must be 0 ppm; they are highly sensitive to organic waste. Avoid copper at all costs.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Elephant Nose Fish?
They are nocturnal carnivores that require 55% protein, 15% fat, 30% plant matter. Feed exclusively live or frozen foods after lights out (use a red flashlight): bloodworms, blackworms, tubifex, and chopped earthworms. They rarely accept dry flakes or pellets. Offer food in the same spot daily to train feeding response. Medication alert: Extremely sensitive to copper (0.05 mg/L lethal), formalin, and malachite green. Use praziquantel (2 mg/L) for internal parasites. Avoid salt (tolerance <1 ppt). Quarantine with metronidazole at half-dose. Their electrosensory system is disrupted by heavy metals.
How to breed Elephant Nose Fish in captivity?
Breeding is extremely rare and has rarely been achieved in home aquariums. Requires a large group (5-8) in 200+ gallons with complex habitat. Simulate rainy season: Lower conductivity to <100 μS/cm using RO water, raise temperature to 82°F (28°C), perform 50% water change with cool (70°F/21°C) soft water over 6 hours. They are egg-scatterers; provide PVC pipes and java moss. Spawning occurs at night; female releases 500-1000 eggs. Eggs hatch in 48-72 hours. Fry require infusoria for 7 days, then baby brine shrimp. Not feasible for hobbyists due to specialized feeding and electrical interference.

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