Elephantnose Fish
Gnathonemus petersii
Also sold as Peters' elephantnose · Long-nosed elephant fish
Elephantnose Fish (Gnathonemus petersii) is a semi-aggressive freshwater fish that reaches about 22.5 cm (8.9 in) and swims in open water. It wants 73–82°F (23–28°C) and pH 6–7.5, can be kept singly, and needs a tank of at least 243 L (64 gal).
At a glance
| Type | Fish |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 22.5 cm (8.9 in) |
| Minimum tank | 243 L (64 gal) |
| Group size | Can be kept singly |
| Temperature | 73–82°F (23–28°C) |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive |
| Lifespan | 6–9 years |
| Eats shrimp | Yes |
Before it goes in
- Elephantnose Fish needs at least 243 L (64 gal). The smallest size in this library that clears that is the 120P.
- It eats shrimp. Cherry Shrimp, Crystal Red Shrimp and Bamboo Shrimp are on the menu.
- It is the wrong size to share a tank with Iridescent Shark: it ends up as food.
- It holds at 73–82°F (23–28°C). That shares a window with Betta and Cherry Shrimp.
- It is semi-aggressive — plan the tank around it rather than adding it to a finished community.
- It digs in the substrate. A freshly planted carpet — Dwarf Hairgrass Mini and Downoi — gets lifted before it roots.
- Sources say not to put it in a newly set-up tank — give the tank a few months first.
- One of them takes up roughly 25% of what a 120P will comfortably hold, so plan the rest of the stock around it.
What tank size does it need?
At least 243 L (64 gal). The smallest size here that clears it is the 120P.
Will it eat shrimp?
Yes. Shrimp are food to it, so pick one or the other.
What water does it want?
73–82°F (23–28°C), pH 6–7.5.
How long does it live?
6–9 years in a tank that suits it. That is how long you are signing up for.
Can it go in a new tank?
No. Sources say not to add it to a newly set-up tank — it wants a tank that has been running for months.
Good tank mates
- Tank mates from this library that share its temperature window, are peaceful and eat neither it nor its young: Goldfish, Bristlenose Pleco, Celestial Pearl Danio, Molly and Otocinclus.
- Plants that hold up with it: Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis', Water Sprite, Anubias nana 'Petite' and Cryptocoryne wendtii.
Often compared with
| Elephantnose Fish | Paradise Fish | Discus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult size | 22.5 cm | 8 cm | 20 cm |
| Min tank | 243 L | 72 L | 300 L |
| Group | 1+ | 1+ | 6+ |
| Temperature | 73–82°F (23–28°C) | 50–79°F (10–26°C) | 82–88°F (28–31°C) |
| Eats shrimp | Yes | Yes | Yes |
More livestock
Sources (5) · checked Sep 2026
- What it eats, Mature tank, Group sizeseriouslyfish.com
- What it eatsaqua-imports.com
- Mature tankfishlore.com
- en.wikipedia.org
- fishkeepingworld.com