Elephant Nose Fish (Gnathonemus petersii) Care Guide

A unique fish with a distinctive elongated chin appendage used for probing the substrate for food via weak electrical impulses. Has exceptional electroreceptive abilities.

Overview

Gnathonemus petersii is a species in the family Mormyridae. A unique fish with a distinctive elongated chin appendage used for probing the substrate for food via weak electrical impulses. Has exceptional electroreceptive abilities. Sensitive and shy, it needs hiding places and dim lighting. Best kept singly or in groups of 5+.

Taxonomy

Family: Mormyridae
Genus: Gnathonemus
Scientific name: Gnathonemus petersii
Other names: Peters' Elephant Nose
Origin: Africa, Central Africa, Congo Basin

Habitat

Gnathonemus petersii is a weakly electric fish from turbid, slow rivers of the Congo basin and central West Africa. Its trunk-like chin extension probes sediment for invertebrates, and it navigates and communicates using a self-generated electric field.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 200 L
Temperature: 24-28 °C
pH: 6-7.5
GH: 3-12 °dGH
Water flow: moderate
Adult size: 15-25 cm
Lifespan: 7-10 years
Difficulty: advanced

Diet

Classified as carnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: peaceful
Position in tank: bottom
Compatible tank mates: Congo Tetra, Corydoras, Synodontis, Kribensis
Avoid with: Other Electric Fish, Aggressive Fish, Small Fish

Breeding

Breeding strategy: egg-scatterer
Breeding difficulty: advanced