elephant nose care

Question
Hi,

Our 10 gallon tank has been set up for about 3 months. All our levels have stayed right where we want them. We have a betta and two elephant nose fish.

We got two elephant nose fish on Friday. We are planning on feeding them freeze dried blood worms, and were wondering how many how often?

How do we know that they are finding their food.

One seems to be beating up on the other, should we be concerned, or just leave the pecking order alone?

We are thinking about moving our betta because we think his fins are getting chewed during the night.

Thanks!  

Answer
Hi Shiloh;

A ten gallon is just not big enough for even one elephant nose fish. Those guys get big, about 8 to 10 inches long, (not counting 'trunk' or tail) even in a small tank. They need at least a 30 gallon. Here are good profile pages on them;

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/354.htm
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/elephnos.htm
http://fish.mongabay.com/mormyridae.htm
http://species.fishindex.com/species_611gnathonemus_petersii_elephant_nose.html

The betta is definately in grave danger. Elephant nose are nocturnal so they are looking for food and the betta is an easy target because he can't see. Elephant nose also have elecrical impulses that they shock other fish and each other with. They rub on them with their sides where the electrical points are. The stronger one will kill the weaker one too. When keeping elephants you need either one or several. With several they can distribute their foolishness between the group. With two, one always loses and is harrassed until it dies. The bigger one will die from being overcrowded in such a small tank eventually. It's just bad all the way around for your guys.

The only recommendation I have is to either get a bigger tank or take them back to the store. They just can't survive in there I'm afraid.

I wish I had better news for you.......

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins