I have a question concerning convict cichlids comp. and elephant nose sel. 01/21/2008
<Ask away.>
Ok... Are elephant noses hardy fish?
<Not even close to being hardy. Among the most difficult freshwater fish commonly traded.>
What is the minimum tank size for one?
<On its own, likely around 150 l/40 gallons. They get pretty big if kept properly. In a community setting, much more space is needed, because they are territorial and their electric field does irritate some fish.>
Also, do they need to be put into groups, I was planning on getting just one.
<Elephant noses are best kept either singly or in groups of six or more. In twos and threes they tend to be unpredictable, and sometimes quite nasty to each other. Wild fish do live in schools though, so singletons are, unsurprisingly, rather shy (i.e., you don't see them most of the time).>
My other question is, are convicts really that aggressive, because I have friends who own these and they say they have had success keeping it with zebra danios.
<Define "aggressive". Yes, Convicts are (for their size) very aggressive towards anything they deep as either a rival for nesting space or a potential predator on their offspring. So despite being relatively small cichlids, they are best kept in (big) community tanks that only include larger cichlids, such as Jaguars and Red Devils. On the other hand, in a spacious enough aquarium, Danios might well be ignored. The use of Danios and other surface-living fish has been widely documented among cichlid-keepers as sometimes beneficial. Such "dither fish" as Danios encourage the bottom-dwelling cichlids to stay out in the open more. So would such a combo work? Quite possible. Is it a good idea for the less experienced aquarist? Probably not.>
From your experience, are they really aggressive?
<I've kept Convicts in a 200 gallon tank with a Red Devil, a Jaguar Cichlid, some Firemouths, a Channel catfish and a Gar. They all got along fine. Read from that what you will, but I'd make the point that the Convicts were holding their own in a big tank filled with potentially aggressive and/or predatory tankmates.>
Will it be fine to keep it with n elephant nose?
<Absolutely not.>
Thanks for your time and thank you for your help.
<Happy to help, Neale.>

"Freshwater dolphin" too vague... (Mormyrid search)
I think I've fallen in to the trap of "common names" being used among those who don't know the difference (myself included).
<Easy to do>
I have been looking for a M. tapirus and as of late had little luck.
<The "Western" Dolphin... don't think I have ever seen this species offered in the West (the U.S.)... comes out of Cameroon and Guinea... sometimes imports from here are offered in Germany, other European countries>
However, I was speaking with a LFS as he received his weekly "list" and he said "oh, I can get the freshwater dolphin you've been wanting".  I replied
"oh really, the M. tapirus", he says, "uh, yeah, sure, it's the Mormyrus dolphin".  Well, I asked to verify, we looked up a picture and I chanced it.
  The fish will be in later this week and I'm now thinking it may be a M. longirostris.  It seems these two species are very similar and even both are commonly referred to as a freshwater "dolphin".
<Yes... the "Eastern" Dolphin is what is primarily seen in the United States>
  It also seems the M. long. is much more common than the M. tap. and therefore that's why I think it's not the tap.
Any thoughts?
<Pertaining to what?>
I've looked hard for information on the both of these, trying to find enough info to ID my potential specimen.  I use fishbase.org a lot and, based on my findings, there, I do believe the tap. is the one I really want.  I'll gladly send a pic and more info once I receive it.  Any insight would be most appreciated.  I would feel badly not taking the specimen he gets in, but I also don't want to be misinformed as to what species I actually have.
In search of M. tapirus...
Sincerely,
Dana Irby
Hendersonville, TN
<Perhaps a trip to Africa? Or to Germany? Bob Fenner>

Mormyrid search
Thanks for your reply.  From your comments, it sounds as though the M. tap. is not available here in the U.S. so I guess it really doesn't matter what they call it here...it's most likely M. long.
<Yes>
Sorry for being so wordy and vague about what I was wanting from you.
Ultimately, you answered my question and any further questions regarding M. tap. would be a mute point anyway.
<No worries>
I'll just see what happens.
Thanks again and have a wonderful day!!!
Dana Irby
<You as well. Bob Fenner>

Do you know where to get freshwater dolphin (Mormyrus tapirus)
<Sorry, no. I have seen them at a few Fish/Pet stores. I did a search on Aquabid.com, but none listed right now. Check with the manager of your LFS. Many times fish will show up on his venders list, but are not ordered. He may be able to get them for you. Don>  
Sky McDougal