# Elephantfish (*Pollimyrus*)

The Elephantfish is a unique fish with a long trunk-like snout. It uses this snout to search for food on the riverbed. These fish are excellent at camouflaging themselves in the murky waters.

- **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Freshwater
- **Also known as:** Mormyrid

![Elephantfish](https://media.snappit.app/site-media-v1/7049fbc8bee0f51d560ec93685ff843b817888fd96c2ea9285045b051390801b/image-560x560/w-560.webp)

## Appearance

The Elephantfish is a small, slender fish, typically brownish-grey. It has a distinctive elongated, downward-curving snout, resembling an elephant's trunk, which makes it visually unique among freshwater fish. Its body is often marked with subtle darker bands.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Actinopterygii
- **Order:** Osteoglossiformes
- **Family:** Mormyridae
- **Genus:** Pollimyrus

## Interesting facts

- Elephantfish have brains that are enormous for a fish, sometimes 3% of their body weight!
- Their trunk-like snout is so strong, they can move small pebbles to find yummy hidden snacks!
- These fish can map out their entire surroundings using electricity, even when it's pitch black!
- They can 'talk' using electric pulses, sending secret messages that humans can't feel or hear!

## Special abilities

- **Electric Field Vision:** Elephantfish can generate weak electric fields around themselves to 'see' their surroundings and navigate in darkness or murky water.
- **Sensitive Snout Probe:** Elephantfish has a flexible, trunk-like snout that helps them powerfully probe for tiny food morsels buried deep in the riverbed.
- **Silent Communicator:** Elephantfish can send special electric signals to communicate with other Elephantfish, helping them find mates or warn about danger.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 5-10 cm
- **Weight:** 0.005-0.02 kg
- **Lifespan:** 5-8 years
- **Maximum Depth:** 5 m
- **Water Type:** Freshwater

## Diet & Feeding

Tiny bugs and worms hiding in the mud are the Elephantfish's favorite snack, found with its special snout.

- **Primary Foods:** insect larvae, small worms, crustaceans
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Nile Perch (*Lates niloticus*) — a common predator in African rivers
- **Eats:** Bloodworm (*Chironomus plumosus*) — loves to eat these tiny insect larvae
- **Shelter:** African Water Lily (*Nymphaea lotus*) — hides among its roots during the day

## Traits

- [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
- [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
- [Electrogenic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/electrogenic): This trait describes organisms capable of generating electric fields or electric shocks.
- [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
- [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

## Collections

- [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Avoid touching unknown fish in the wild to stay safe.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Elephantfish?

Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Elephantfish?

5-10 cm

### How much does Elephantfish weigh?

0.005-0.02 kg

### How long does Elephantfish live?

5-8 years

### What does Elephantfish eat?

Tiny bugs and worms hiding in the mud are the Elephantfish's favorite snack, found with its special snout.

### Where is Elephantfish usually found?

Freshwater

### How does Elephantfish hunt?

Foraging

### How deep can Elephantfish go?

5 m

## More Fish

- [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*)
- [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*)
- [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*)
- [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*)

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Source: [Elephantfish: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elephantfish)