# Elephantnose Fish (*Gnathonemus petersii*) The Elephantnose Fish has a long, trunk-like snout that looks like an elephant's nose. It uses its snout to sense tiny electrical fields in the water and find its prey. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Freshwater - **Also known as:** Elephant Fish, Mormyrid Fish ![Elephantnose Fish](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424367/objects/6069.jpg) ## Appearance The Elephantnose Fish has a dark brown to black body, often with two pale, vertical bands near its tail. Its most striking feature is a long, downward-curving mouth extension, resembling a miniature elephant trunk, which it uses to explore its surroundings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopteri - **Order:** Osteoglossiformes - **Family:** Mormyridae - **Genus:** Gnathonemus ## Interesting facts - Every Elephantnose Fish has its own special electric pulse, like a unique fingerprint! - Their brain is super big compared to their body size, making them one of the smartest fish! - They can 'taste' their food before even touching it, thanks to special sensors on their snout. - They mostly wake up at night because their eyes aren't good at seeing in bright sunlight. ## Special abilities - **Communication Spark:** Elephantnose Fish can send out unique electric pulses to communicate with other fish in their dark river habitats. - **Snout Detector:** Elephantnose Fish has a special trunk-like snout that helps them probe the mud for hidden insect larvae and worms. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-23 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.2 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Swim Speed:** 1 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 5 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding They use their special snout to find tiny worms and insect larvae hidden in the mud! - **Primary Foods:** insect larvae, small worms, micro-crustaceans, detritus - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** African Pike (*Hepsetus odoe*) — A larger predatory fish - **Eats:** Midge Larvae (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Common bottom-dwelling food - **Eats:** Tubifex Worm (*Tubifex tubifex*) — A source of protein ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [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. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not disturb the Elephantnose Fish in their habitat to keep them safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Elephantnose Fish? 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 Elephantnose Fish? 15-23 cm ### How much does Elephantnose Fish weigh? 0.05-0.2 kg ### How long does Elephantnose Fish live? 6-10 years ### What does Elephantnose Fish eat? They use their special snout to find tiny worms and insect larvae hidden in the mud! ### How fast can Elephantnose Fish swim? 1 km/h ### Where is Elephantnose Fish usually found? Freshwater ### How does Elephantnose Fish hunt? Foraging ## 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*) --- Source: [Elephantnose Fish: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elephantnose-fish)