Elephant Nose
Properly described as Gnathonemus petersii by Guenther in 1862, this fish is best known as the Elephant Nose, so named for its proboscis that extends from the lower jaw like a trunk. This is used to root through a sandy substrate to help find small worms and insect larva, part of the natural diet of the Elephant Nose. Mostly a nocturnal fish, this fish will require lots of planted cover and subdued lighting to be at home in the aquarium. The Elephant Nose emits an electrical pulse into the water, similar to a sonar system used to locate prey. The Baensch Atlas states that the Elephant Nose emits 800 pulses per second, and if the water quality is poor, the frequency increases. While it is tolerant of most other peaceful fish, it is not recommended to try and keep more than one Elephant Nose in the same aquarium. As a smooth-skinned fish, care must also be taken when using any medications, especially treatments for parasitic infestations. The Elephant Nose is intolerant of poor water quality and will require frequent partial water changes to keep nitrate levels under control.
Approximate arrival size for Elephant Nose: Small: 1-2"; Medium: 2.5-3.5"; Large: 4-5"
