Elephantnose fish
Gnathonemus petersii
An African fish that finds food with a weak electric field and a long trunk-like chin; nocturnal, very sensitive and in need of sand.
Key facts
- Body length
- 8.9 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 76 gallons
- Group
- 5+
- Temperament
- Peaceful, shy
- Care level
- 4 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Frozen bloodworm, live blackworms, small sinking foods
- Origin
- West and Central Africa
- Hardier than1%
- Bigger than86%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Elephantnose fish tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blue dolphin cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyFancy guppy outcompetes the slow-eating Elephantnose fish for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Tiger barbTiger barb nips fins; Elephantnose fish is vulnerable (slow swimmer). Risk is reduced: the group is at least the recommended size.Risky
- Amano shrimpAmano shrimp outcompetes the slow-eating Elephantnose fish for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater outcompetes the slow-eating Elephantnose fish for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach outcompetes the slow-eating Elephantnose fish for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Common plecoAmazon sailfin catfish (common pleco) outcompetes the slow-eating Elephantnose fish for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Elephantnose fish: prey body depth 1.8 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar eats bottom fish: Elephantnose fish.Avoid
- African clawed frogAfrican clawed frog should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Marbled crayfishMarbled crayfish should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Redclaw crayfishRedclaw crayfish eats bottom fish: Elephantnose fish.Avoid
- AxolotlAxolotl should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for elephantnose fish: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 22.5 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 175.56 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 21.72 BU
- Min. water
- 243 L net
- Min. footprint
- 120 × 45 cm per group
- Group
- 5+ (best 5)
- Swims in
- bottom
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- slender eel, normal fins
- Diet type
- micropredator
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper, salt, nitrate
Sources: Seriously Fish: Gnathonemus petersii · FishBase: Gnathonemus petersii
Care notes
Elephantnose fish live in dark, muddy, slow rivers of West and Central Africa and grow to about 9 inches. They probe the bottom with their trunk at night.
Fine sand is critical, as coarse substrate injures the trunk, and a 4-foot tank of about 55 gallons is just acceptable. Never keep two, since the stronger bullies the weaker: keep one or five or more, and avoid most medications, including salt.
Questions
What size tank does a elephantnose fish need?
At least 76 gallons (243 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 8.9 inches without fins.
How many elephantnose fish should be kept together?
Keep at least 5, ideally 5 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do elephantnose fish need?
73–82 °F, pH 6–7.5 and 5–15 dGH. Elephantnose fish come from West and Central Africa.
How long do elephantnose fish live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with elephantnose fish?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Panda corydoras, Otocinclus and Cherry shrimp. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.