elephant nose fish?

Question

i have got a big 110 litre freshwater fish tank and what are some special tips for keeping an elephant nose becuase they are awsome fish and they are my favs so could someone experianced with them tell me a few tips? thanks bibi

Answer 1

It really should be kept in a larger tank something above 4ft 40/50 gallons at least, they need sand or small rounded gravel, they'll feed on a multitude of stuff and will eventually take flake food but first off probably blood worm and chopped brandlings (small red earth worms). Plenty of cover, and they like to hide in tight corners so a clear plastic tube comes in handy they'll hide in there and you can see, they're aggressive to there own kind so if you keep more than one you again need plenty of space for the smaller to hid out of the way. Plenty of plants. PH around the 7 mark and temp 78/80 area. Years since I kept them but mine reached about 8/10" but a nice unusual fish to keep.

AJ

Answer 2

Elephant nose are schooling fish. They should be kept in groups or at least even pairs. Word of caution: they are well known for a suicide act of jumping out of an uncovered tank especially if there is only one. The elephant is a very intelligent fish as compared to other species. They know no other world than the water, but at the same time they realize they are isolated in a box (aquarium). They think that if they use whatever means possible to get out, that they will be in a much larger body of water that you (the aquarist) occupies. Little do they know, we don't live in water as they do. And so a tragic lesson is learned Elephant nose do not care for bright light and if exposed to this, will quickly run for cover to shelter their sensitive eyes. In a dimly lit room, they immediately come out to play. Games like follow the leader, where one will use whatever the tank offers to create an obstacle course. With speed and amazing accuracy, the other two followers will match every move the leader makes. Then they stop for a minute as though planning a strategy, then another fish takes the lead. You cannot not let excessive food accumulate in the tank, as these guys are very easily effected by ammonia or poor water quality. When elephant nose are curious and nervous, they will back up to the source to investigate with their tail. The reason for this is because they emit an electric shock through the base of their tails. If something were to bite down they would get shocked. They only do this if their life is threatened, so there is no fear of being zapped. Origin Central Africa, in the Zaire river basin, from the Niger to the Cameroons. The Elephant Nose is a fairly easy fish to care for. They are scavengers, and should be fed live and frozen brine shrimp, blood worms, glass worms, and tubifex worms. Freeze dried and flake foods can be fed occasionally. They are nocturnal, and should be fed at night. Elephant Nose Fish should be kept in water with a temperature between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The pH level should be between six and seven. Elephant Nose Fish are very sensitive to chemicals, so if treating an illness, be careful as to which treatment to use.

Answer 3

Hello!
I have an elephant nose in a 140lt tank, I have provided lots of caves and foilage from plants as they are fairly shy!
I have also added red underwater lights to watch at night as they are a beautiful fish to watch. I feed mine brine Shrimp and Bllod worm and sinking pellets also.
Hope this helps
Cheers

Answer 4

it can reach up to 23cm

will accept all kinds of food, but prefer to have lifefoods...

since these fish have special lower jaw, you need to give 'em fine gravels soft enough that it doesn't hurt them.

also being shy, you need to give caves and all sorts of hiding spots.

active during the twilight and dark.
lighting best with moonlight fluorescent tube.

can tolerate temperatures from 22 - 28 c

for breeding, i'm sorry, never knew about that...

good luck and hope this helps

Answer 5

they are alittle harder to take care of, i have never had success with them.

Try feeding worms, they seem to be sensitive to waterqualty as well. Sand is probably best so they dont harm their noses.