Post by Allaquatica on Jan 20, 2007 22:02:25 GMT -5
Elephant nose Gnathonemus petersi
Distribution: Africa, Congo, cameroon to niger
Size: 9 inches, 23cm
Tank Size: 60gal
Size: 35cm/14" in the wild - around 8"/20cm in captivity.
Food: live food, fresh frozen
Temp: 75-83f, 24-30c
Community tank (demanding)
Synonyms: Mormyrus petersii, Gnathonemus brevicaudatus, Gnathonemus histrio.
Temperament: The elephant nose is aggressive and territorial towards species of its own kind and this aggression has been known to involve electric organ discharge activity (EOD). However, although this species is aggressive towards its own kind some sources seem to recommend keeping groups of around five individuals.
Aquarium: Minimum aquarium size is 150 x 60 x 60cm/5'x2'x2'. A peaty or sandy substrate is best to prevent their long noses from being damaged, lots of hiding places are preferred as this species is generally nocturnal and prefers to forage at night.
Water: Slightly soft and acidic water is preferred usually a pH of around 6.0-7.0.
Diet: In the wild the elephant nose feeds mostly at night on worms and insects, probably aided by the use of electro-sensory inputs. Electro receptors are distributed over the entire head, the dorsal and ventral regions of the body, but absent from the side and the caudal peduncle where the electric organ is located. In captivity this fish will eat live and frozen foods and possibly dry foods such as sinking pellets and flake.
Breeding: Although there are no accounts of breeding in home aquaria, sex-related EOD characteristics have been demonstrated in the laboratory with freshly imported species during the breeding season. This EOD dimorphism changed with time in captivity. Lead nitrate in water significantly increased EOD rate and altered the EOD waveform of this species.
Notes: This species is a bottom dweller where it spends most of its time probing for food with its long snout - use a moonlight tube to observe this behaviour in the evenings. Dubbed a 'hearing specialist' the elephant nose has auditory abilities in the range of 100-2500 Hz, with 'best frequencies' between 300 and 600 Hz.
Availability: These fish are usually imported from Nigeria during the summer months. They are relatively easy to obtain at most shops, but their specialist requirements mean that they are not a widely kept species.
Distribution: Africa, Congo, cameroon to niger
Size: 9 inches, 23cm
Tank Size: 60gal
Size: 35cm/14" in the wild - around 8"/20cm in captivity.
Food: live food, fresh frozen
Temp: 75-83f, 24-30c
Community tank (demanding)
Synonyms: Mormyrus petersii, Gnathonemus brevicaudatus, Gnathonemus histrio.
Temperament: The elephant nose is aggressive and territorial towards species of its own kind and this aggression has been known to involve electric organ discharge activity (EOD). However, although this species is aggressive towards its own kind some sources seem to recommend keeping groups of around five individuals.
Aquarium: Minimum aquarium size is 150 x 60 x 60cm/5'x2'x2'. A peaty or sandy substrate is best to prevent their long noses from being damaged, lots of hiding places are preferred as this species is generally nocturnal and prefers to forage at night.
Water: Slightly soft and acidic water is preferred usually a pH of around 6.0-7.0.
Diet: In the wild the elephant nose feeds mostly at night on worms and insects, probably aided by the use of electro-sensory inputs. Electro receptors are distributed over the entire head, the dorsal and ventral regions of the body, but absent from the side and the caudal peduncle where the electric organ is located. In captivity this fish will eat live and frozen foods and possibly dry foods such as sinking pellets and flake.
Breeding: Although there are no accounts of breeding in home aquaria, sex-related EOD characteristics have been demonstrated in the laboratory with freshly imported species during the breeding season. This EOD dimorphism changed with time in captivity. Lead nitrate in water significantly increased EOD rate and altered the EOD waveform of this species.
Notes: This species is a bottom dweller where it spends most of its time probing for food with its long snout - use a moonlight tube to observe this behaviour in the evenings. Dubbed a 'hearing specialist' the elephant nose has auditory abilities in the range of 100-2500 Hz, with 'best frequencies' between 300 and 600 Hz.
Availability: These fish are usually imported from Nigeria during the summer months. They are relatively easy to obtain at most shops, but their specialist requirements mean that they are not a widely kept species.
