Guide to Elephant Nose Fish in the Home Aquarium

Die-hard aquarium enthusiasts are always on the look out for unique and interesting fish to keep. The elephant nose, Gnathonemus petersi, is an unusual fish with a very distinctive body shape. This article gives information about the species and how to keep them successfully in your home aquarium.

Elephant Nose Fish - Overview

The elephant nose fish is so named due to the elongation of the lower jaw. This gives this mostly black fish the appearance of an elephant trunk. Growing up to nine inches long, the elephant nose fish sometimes uses its unusual jaw to search in the substrate for food. Because of this adaptation, it is recommended that you keep this fish in an aquarium with a soft sand substrate. It prefers a diet of insects, worms, and does well with commercially prepared dry food.

This fish has an elongate body with a narrow caudal peduncle. The caudal fin, or tail, of the elephant nose fish is deeply lobed. Near the almost diamond shaped dorsal and anal fins, there are two bars of white.

Elephant Nose Fish - In the Fish Tank

Despite its unusual appearance and large size, the elephant nose fish is peaceful in a community tank. However, it is territorial and is often agressive with members or its own species. In a well plants tank with hiding places such as rock caves and driftwood roots, it may be possible to keep more than one. This is especially true if you have a very large home aquarium: fifty-five gallons or more.

The elephant nose fish is active at night and often hides during the day. Shady places in the fish tank will help the aquarium keeper watch the elephant nose fish when it is active. It is a good idea to give it hiding spots such as overturned plant pots and rock caves. Some fish tank owners put a transparent plastic tube in the tank. This gives the elephant nose fish a feeling of safety and still lets you observe it during the day.

The elephant nose fish is unique in appearance but not difficult to keep in the community fish tank. Choose a soft substrate, and build a shady hiding place in your tank with rocks or other ornaments. With tropical water temperatures between seventy-five and eight degrees and places to hide, this fish can be successful kept in the home aquarium.