Get a Huge Tank

All fish

Wormnose Elephantfish

Campylomormyrus tamandua

Freshwater West and central Africa

A fascinating mormyrid equipped with a long, downward-curving proboscis used to probe sand for aquatic worms and larvae. It generates weak electric fields for spatial navigation. Very sensitive to water quality and medication, it requires quiet quarters and should usually be kept singly.

Also called: Trunkfish, Wormjawed mormyrid.

30 cm adult length, drawn to scale. torpedo body.

Outgrows a typical home tank. Check this fish against the adult size above before buying a juvenile. The minimum shown is the least it is kept in for good, not a comfortable size.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 1 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 30 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 400 L, at least 150 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 80 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 4 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 24 to 28 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 6.5 to 7.5 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 4 to 12, KH 2 to 6 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Low Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Dim Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size Single fish is fine Not a schooling species.
Temperament Peaceful Territorial: strong.
Swims in Near the bottom Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 8 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Experienced keepers only A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.
Jumps Yes Keep the tank covered.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Wormnose Elephantfish is an carnivore that swims in the lowest part of the tank. It is safe with plants. Give it plenty of cover. It digs, so anchor plants and keep hard rock off loose sand.

Tankmates

Works with

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.