Elephantnose Fish

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Very widespread species in the river basins of West and Central Africa (Niger, Ogun, Chari rivers). Inhabits the darkness of muddy-bottomed areas, moving slowly along the banks rich in dense submerged vegetation.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Peters' Elephantnose Fish. Astounding morphology: a flexible tubular appendage similar to a trunk ("Schnauzenorgan") protrudes from the lower lip. Used as a highly sophisticated tactile sensor and electromotor organ to locate prey in the mud. Length up to 23 cm (9 inches).

Social Behavior: Nocturnal, shy and gifted with the brain with the highest mass/body ratio among fish (extraordinary intelligence, they have been trained in labs). Creates a weak electric field to echolocate. Can be extremely aggressive towards conspecifics if kept in groups too small (under 6 specimens).

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Dark camouflage for the night: opaque black or dark chocolate brown body, with two bright white vertical bands between the closely spaced dorsal and anal fins. The caudal peduncle is very thin. No sexual dimorphism visible to the naked eye (distinguishable in the lab by electrical signals).

Aquarium Setup: Tank of at least 250 liters (65 gallons) with EXTREMELY dim lights (they hate bright light). It is imperative to use a bottom made only of VERY FINE SAND to protect the delicate trunk from excoriations. Provide a multitude of individual hiding places: PVC pipes, stacked smooth rocks.

Diet and Feeding: Insectivorous micro-predator. Locates and unearths larvae in the mud with electro-reception. Will hardly accept flakes. Must be fed with large portions of live or frozen bloodworms, tubifex and brine shrimp, administered in the evening when the aquarium is dark.

Water Quality: Very sensitive to pollutants. Neutral to weakly acidic water (pH 6.0-7.5) at 24-27°C (75-81°F). Filtration must be impeccable but with very little turbulence. Tolerates zero nitrites and is chronically intolerant to nitrate concentrations above 20ppm.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Ideal with peaceful African mid-water fish (Congo Tetras, African Butterflyfish). Not recommended to pair with Cichlids or aggressive bottom fish (Botia, large Loricariids) which would bully it forcing it to starve, as it is very slow to eat.

Aquarium Reproduction: Not successfully documented in home or commercial aquariums. Reproduction in nature strictly depends on the monsoonal rain cycles that radically alter the electrical and chemical parameters of the water.

Risks and Diseases: Being fish without true scales ("scaleless"), copper, malachite green and common store drugs are lethal to them. They die of starvation if placed in too bright tanks or disturbed by voracious tankmates. A wound to the trunk condemns them to the inability to feed.