The Elephant-nosed fish, or Ubangi Mormyrid [Gnathonemus Petersii] is probably the most commonly encountered of the elephant-noses. It belongs to the Mormyrid family, fishes related to the knifefishes of south-America. They give off minute electrical impulses to communicate. The Elephant-nose fish is brownish-black in colour, with creamy-white bands across it's dorsal and anal fins, as well as two vertical bands crossing it's body. It is slender and streamlined in shape, with a soft extension under it's mouth, used for probing for worms in the sand. The Elephant-nosed fish requires a relatively large tank, as it is quite active, of about 50 gallons as a youngester, and about 65+ at full size. They can reach 10" in very large aquaria. Elephant-noses require a heavily planted tank with a sandy substrate in which they can probe for worms. They also need various hiding places and prefer subdued lighting. Elephant-noses live in the blackwater swamps and muddy lowland rivers of Central Africa in the wild, occuring over much of Zaire, Cameroon and Senegal. It requires slightly acidic water of about 6.7, and a temperature ranging from 22-29'C. Elephant-noses require a well-balanced diet of livefoods such as bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp and mosquito larvae. They occaisionally take dried food, and will accept freeze-dried and frozen foods. It is important to ensure sufficient food reaches the bottom for the elephantnose, and it is a good idea to feed it at night. Elephantnoses are generally peaceful with fishes, but can be quarrelsome and territorial. It is best not to overstock an tank with elephant-noses if it is to be included in a community aquarium. Elephant-noses should not be kept together unless they are more than three of four, and the aquarium is over 120 gallons. There have been no reports of captive breeding, and the sexes cannot be easily distinguished. It might be possible to breed them in the future when they are more understood.
