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Peters' Elephantnose Fish

Gnathonemus petersii

Freshwater West and central Africa

A fascinating mormyrid famed for its elongated chin barbel used to probe the sediment for invertebrates via weak electrical organ discharges. Highly sensitive to medication and poor water quality, it requires very fine sand to prevent barbel damage, subdued lighting, and peaceful tankmates that will not outcompete it.

Also called: Elephantnose fish, Elephant fish, Elephant nose, Long-nosed Elephant Fish.

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

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

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 23 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 250 L, at least 120 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 50 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 3 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 to 7.2 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 4 to 10, 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

Peters' Elephantnose Fish 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.