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Elephantnose
Photos © Sean Evans
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| Common name: | Elephantnose, Peter's elephantnose |
| Scientific name: | Gnathonemus petersii |
| Synonyms: | (none) |
| Size: | 8" (20cm) |
| Origin: | Africa: Cameroon, Nigeria, Congo (formerly Zaire) |
| Tank setup: | Larger tank (3ft/90cm minimum) with plenty of hiding places, sandy substrate. |
| Compatibility: | Can be territorial with their own kind. Generally compatible in the larger community tank. |
| Temperature: | 22-28oC (72-82oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Fairly soft, slightly acidic (pH 6.0-7.0) ideally. |
| Feeding: | An omnivore which prefers live foods, but will take frozen foods, and possibly flake. |
| Sexing: | Unknown |
| Breeding: | Unknown |
| Comments: |
G. petersii is the most commonly available of several species of elephantnose.
The 'trunk' is used for hunting small food organisms, a soft substrate is necessary to prevent
injury to the snout. These fish have a weak electric organ which they use for navigation. You must take great
care if you ever need to treat these fish, or a tank containing them, with a medication. They are sensitive to
several of the common treatments - read the product insert carefully.
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