Elephant Nose Fish

The Elephant Nose Fish is one of the most unique and intriguing fish in the aquarium hobby, named for its trunk-like extension of the lower jaw. Native to West African rivers, these fascinating fish use weak electrical fields to navigate, find food, and communicate with each other in the murky waters of their natural habitat. They are primarily nocturnal, using their sensitive trunk-like proboscis to probe the substrate for small invertebrates and organic matter. Elephant Nose Fish have large brains relative to their body size and are considered quite intelligent for fish. They can recognize their owners and may learn to take food from hands. Their unusual appearance, interesting behaviors, and electrical sensing abilities make them a rewarding challenge for experienced aquarists. However, they have specific care requirements including soft substrate for their sensitive proboscis and dim lighting conditions.

Care Requirements

Tank Setup

Elephant Nose Fish need a spacious tank with soft, sandy substrate to protect their delicate proboscis. A 75-gallon tank or larger is recommended for their adult size and active nature. Provide driftwood, caves, and hiding spots as they are shy and nocturnal. Dim lighting is essential; use floating plants or dimmable lights. Gentle filtration without strong currents.

Water Quality

• Temperature: 73-82°F (23-28°C)
• pH: 6.0-7.5
• Water Hardness: Soft to moderate, 2-12 dGH
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <20 ppm

Feeding

These nocturnal feeders prefer live or frozen foods. Offer blackworms, bloodworms, and brine shrimp. Some may accept pellets after acclimation. Feed in the evening when they are most active. Use feeding dishes to prevent food from being lost in the substrate. They have small mouths relative to their body size.

Behavior & Compatibility

Elephant Nose Fish are peaceful but shy and should be kept in groups of 3-5 to feel secure. They use electrical communication and may not do well with other electric fish. They are slow-moving and should not be housed with fast, aggressive species. They appreciate dim conditions and may hide during bright daylight hours.

Tips for Success

• Keep in small groups of 3+ for security and natural electrical communication
• Absolutely requires soft sand substrate; gravel damages their sensitive proboscis
• Nocturnal nature means best viewing is in the evening with dim lighting
• They are sensitive to water parameters; maintain stable, pristine conditions
• Use feeding dishes to ensure they receive adequate nutrition
• They may take weeks to acclimate and start feeding regularly
• Dim the lights and use moonlight LEDs for evening viewing