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FAQs on Mormyrid Fishes Systems

Related Articles: Mormyrids, Elephantfishes, Electrogenic Fishes,

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

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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