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FAQs on Mormyrid Fishes Systems
Related Articles: Mormyrids,
Elephantfishes, Electrogenic Fishes,
Related FAQs: Mormyrids,
Elephantfishes, Mormyrid
Identification, Mormyrid Behavior,
Mormyrid Compatibility,
Mormyrid Selection,
Mormyrid Feeding,
Mormyrid Disease,
Mormyrid Reproduction,
Bony Tongue Fishes,
Electrogenic Fishes,
Aba Aba Knifefish, African Butterflyfish,
Arapaimas,
Arowanas, Featherfin Knives,
New World Knifefishes, |
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Re: Anableps anableps. Mormyrids, not brackish f' as well
08/05/09
Sorry to be a nag but I have one final question :) What is the salt
tolerance of Peter's Elephant Nose Fish?
<Nil. They are textbook examples of primary freshwater fish with little
to no tolerance of saline conditions.>
I do NOT have one but am interested in possibly getting one for this
tank as well as a final tankmate.
<Good. Gnathonemus petersii, and indeed Mormyrids generally, are very
difficult to maintain, and you absolutely must research their needs
carefully before purchase. Do see here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/mormyrids.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/mormcompfaqs.htm
You're looking at a tank with a sandy substrate, no bottom-feeding
competitors (like Loaches!), plenty of floating plants, and water of
very good quality. Water chemistry isn't critical, but certainly
shouldn't be
brackish!>
I am aware of their unique feeding requirements etc... and can satisfy
those.
<Very good.>
Just wondering if you think they'd be able to handle this setup.
<Not really, no. In any case, suspect you'll have your hands full with
the Anableps. If you want other fish, look at Mollies, Limia, perhaps
Mudskippers (though probably not the super-aggressive P. barbarus).
Flounders/soles might work, but not with the loaches. Cheers, Neale.>
Elephant nose fish... sys., comp.
4/4/08
I was thinking about getting a ten gallon tank. I want to put an Elephant
nose fish in the tank, some angel fish, and maybe a small bristle nose Pleco
and/or some bottom feeders maybe some Cory cats or clown loaches. What do you
think of this grouping of fish?
Thank you.
Nick
<Hi Nick. In a word, NO! This combination of fish won't work. Starting at the
top: Gnathonemus petersi is one of the most difficult fish in the hobby to
maintain for any length of time. These things are non-negotiable: a sandy
substrate, excellent water quality, live or wet frozen foods (bloodworms
particularly), and no bottom-feeding tankmates. Most specimens starve to death,
so you have to consider feeding carefully. Secondly, Angelfish and Clown Loaches
and Bristlenose Plecs are all far too large for a 10 gallon tank. A pair of
Angels might fit into a 30 gallon tank along with a few midwater fish, but
Clowns need to be kept in groups (at least three specimens) and ultimately need
tanks 55 gallons upwards. Both Clown Loaches and Gnathonemus petersi are
super-sensitive to copper-based medications, and Gnathonemus petersi especially
will be quickly killed by the standard anti-Ick medications. So before thinking
about tankmates for this fish, you need to have a quarantine tank set up. For a
10-gallon tank, you really need to be thinking about small, inactive fish around
the 1 to 1.5 inch mark. Shrimps and Nerite snails are also worth considering. If
you're a beginner, steer clear of 10-gallon tanks entirely; they're difficult to
stock and even more difficult to maintain. For inexperienced aquarists, the
20-gallon tank is the ABSOLUTE minimum. Hope this helps, Neale.>
Skinny elephant nose
I hope you can help me, I bought a elephant nose 3 wks ago. and he was doing
fine, but lately he is not eating. I feed him blood worms at night, so that my
Angel fish can't see it, but the cat fish go at it and my CAE, so leaves nothing
for the elephant fish.
<Sounds like it is mixed in with incompatible tankmates>
I have tried many ways of trying to feed him, I have placed it in the ghost
tube, which he doesn't go in it any ways, which I don't know how to coax him in
there. I have tried with a turkey baster and he would swim away, he has eaten a
little bit, but not enough he is starting to look skinny, I hope you can help me
before he dies.
<I would move this fish to more suitable quarters. Now. Bob Fenner>
Thanks, Shelley
Mr. Fenner,
RE: your article
"The Elephantfishes, family Mormyridae, In Aquariums"
on the:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/mormyrids.htm
website...
I just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed reading your superbly informative
article about the Mormyrids. I grew up a fish buff but was not able to maintain
my aquariums while in college. However, I have been bitten by the fish bug once
again.
<Ahh, welcome back "to the fold">
I've got a 55 set up with some Congo Tetras, Clown Loaches, and soon some baby
Royal Plecos. I was thinking of adding some Elephantnose fish. However, I
noticed you wrote they inhabit muddy waters in the wild.
<Yes>
I have a lot of filtration on my tank. A lot of driftwood and lava rock
too... stacked up to the top with java moss everywhere. But, the water moves a
lot. Do you think Elephantnose fish would do okay in moving water?
<Yes... though the water will likely be much clearer, more vigorous in movement,
these are adaptable fishes. They will greatly enjoy your driftwood and Java
Moss>>
I've got 2 Hagen 400 and one Hagen 802 (?) powerheads, one of the larger small
Eheims, a supreme AquaMaster and some air hooked up to an undergravel
filter... all blowing the water counterclockwise as I am north of the equator.
<I see. No problem>
Wet-dry filter, carbon, peat moss, 6.5-7.0 pH, 80 degrees F. So, the thing to
do is please let me know if you think
Elephantnose fish would be okay in my turbulent setup. Thanks in advance for
your time.
Sincerely, Dr. Gregory Findura
<If you can locate all the specimens that you intend to keep, do place them all
at once to lessen the likelihood of interspecific aggression. Oh, and please do
write back and tell us how they are doing. Bob Fenner>
Re: Wallaby wood
Thanks for the quick reply. The specimen marketed under the name "wallaby
wood" was purchased at my LFS, my research seems to suggest that it is actually
Swahala wood from the dark reaches of mighty Africa.
<Ahh, I do know this product>
Nobody at different LFS stores seem to know much about it although they all
stock and sell it. Their instructions are all similar, just soak in hot water
for 1-2 days and it will be fine, no staining of water and if there is any, well
the filtration system will clear it up. Well 8 days later of soaking and boiling
it in my huge lobster pot still produces a beautiful light brown water which
would make any ice tea company proud! Thank you for your input, I will not give
up, sodium bicarbonate is next. Quick follow-up on one of my earlier ?'s
regarding sexing of the Mormyrid "elephant nose fish", after researching
bibliography came across small paragraph stating that "the fish with the more
curved anal fin is the male". Just thought you may like to know. Thanks again
Stephen
<Thank you for this. Have heard similar statements. Bob Fenner>
Freshwater fish electro-sense question
I recently bought an elephant fish. today my girlfriend surprised me with a
black ghost knife. They are both about 3in and are in a 34 gallon tank with
separate very good hiding spots. will there 'electro-senses' clash?
< There have been some studies on these electromagnetic fields generated by
these fish but not much in the popular aquarium literature. But I am sure that
they are aware of each other.>
also how sensitive are they to salt?
< These fish come from clean warm acidic water and have become very sensitive to
salt.-Chuck>
I use a little less then the recommended dose of aquarium salt (1tbsp per 5
gallon). tank also includes 6 glass cats and a blue lobster.
thanks for your time.
-Zac
Elephantnose project
Mr. Fenner,
<Hello there>
My friend and I have decided to do our science fair project about
Elephantnoses. After experimentation I wish to keep them as pets. I have
sent the details of the project in the attachment. I was wondering if you
could look it over and give any feedback.
<Interesting experiment. Might I ask, how do you intend to produce your
electromagnetic field? How to measure it?>
In no way do I wish to cause the fish and harm or distress. I want them to
be as comfortable in their environment as physically possible.
<Mmm, this will not happen in your model... Mormyrids (and other
electrogenic fishes) are "driven crazy" by even the introduction of
electrical conductive (metal) materials in their systems... as you will
find>
Right now I have 5 Elephantnoses in a 55 gallon tank. They seem to be
territorial but not attacking one another aggressively.
<You are likely "right at" some maximum number... they can be crowded
temporarily at much higher densities, but don't "get along" at about more
than one per twenty, thirty gallons at "adult" size>
Usually they lightly bump into one another and like to swim around the
tank in a group. I am very persistent about water conditions and check them
everyday. If there are any particular products that work well and are not
toxic to the Elephantnoses that you feel are useful, I would really
appreciate any suggestions.
<It appears they are doing well in your care>
These are some of the most magnificent and intriguing fish I have ever
encountered. They are curious and playful like none others I have seen.
<And some of the most intelligent fishes... as gauged by the relative
size, shape of their brains. Bob Fenner>
Thank You,
Brandi Alderson |
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Research Plan Attachment
A.
Question
What effect does varying strengths of electromagnetic field have on the
behaviour of Elephant Noses?
B.
Hypothesis
It is believed that the higher the strength
of the electromagnetic field, the more confused the fish will be.
This will cause them to retreat and hide.
C.
Procedure
We will observe the fish for a half hour each day for 5 days, videotape
and log each observation, without subjecting them to any change. We will
then, once a day, subject the fish to an electromagnetic field of
increasing strength. The increasing magnetic field will not produce any
direct effect in the fish. However, when they move, the magnetic field
should distort the electrical pulses the fish themselves emit. This may
cause them to “see” things that aren’t there. We will then study the
fish’s responses to this field. It might confuse the fish, but shouldn’t
harm them in any way.
No non-vertebrates fit our requirements as an electromagnetic emitting and
sensing organism with observable social behaviour. We will not be
electrifying the fish and will discontinue the experiment if the fish
show obvious signs of discomfort or exhibit potentially hazardous
behaviour.
D. Bibliography
AquariumFish.net “Elephant
Nose Fish for Sale” [online]. 2003. [cited 8/21/03]. Available from
World Wide Web:
<URL: http://www.aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/wild/elephant_nose.htm>
Aquazoo.
“Elephant Nose” [online]. 2000. [cited 9/2/03]. Available from World
Wide Web:
<URL:
http://www.aquazoo.co.uk/page.cfm/Type=Fish/ID=286>
Algone Corporation. “Proper Feeding of Your Aquarium Fish” [online].
[cited 9/2/03]. Available from World Wide Web: <URL:
http://www.algone.com/feeding_your_fish.htm>
Robert,
Fenner. “The Elephantfishes,
family Mormyridae, In Aquariums”
[online]. [cited 9/2/03]. Available from the World Wide Web:
<URL:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/mormyrids.htm
ILAR
Journal. “Behavioural Research Outside the Laboratory” [online]. 1996
[cited 9/8/03]. Available from World Wide Web:
<URL:
http://dels.nas.edu/ilar/jour_online.asp?id=jour_online>
Schliewen, Ulrich. Translated by Kimber, Rita and Robert. “Loaches,
Flying Foxes and Elephant-trunk Fishes.”
Aquarium Fish. Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. Hong Kong, 1992.
Levine, Joseph S. The Complete Fishkeeper: Everything Aquarium Fishes
Need to Stay Happy, Healthy, and Alive, William Morrow and Company,
Inc. New York, New York. 1991. |
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