TankBud

Curved snout mormyrid

Campylomormyrus rhynchophorus

Also known as Rhynchophorus elephantnose, Long nosed elephant nose

FreshwaterFish

Curved snout mormyrid (Campylomormyrus rhynchophorus)
George Berninger Jr. · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
8.7 in
22 cm
Minimum tank
79 gal
300 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Mormyridae
Origin
Congo basin

Overview

The curved snout mormyrid is a medium-sized elephantfish with a long, down-curved trunk for probing the bottom. It is hard to keep and best suited to an experienced aquarist.

Did you know

Curved snout mormyrids and their close Campylomormyrus relatives can look almost identical, yet each species produces an electric pulse of its own shape and length. The fish use those pulses to recognize their own kind.

Caring for the curved snout mormyrid

A curved snout mormyrid needs a tank of at least 79 gal (300 L). Combine open patches of soft sand, where it can dig without damaging its sensitive snout, with stone and wood for cover. Keep the lighting low and add a gentle current, which suits its river origins.

Hold the water warm and soft to neutral, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Keep it very steady, since these fish are quick to suffer in unstable or medicated water. Feed meaty sinking foods such as bloodworm and blackworm in the evening.

Keep it singly, because it is intolerant of its own kind. Pick tank mates with caution, choosing calm, similarly sized fish that will not bully it or strip its food. Its breeding is not recorded in aquaria.

Good to know

The curved snout mormyrid is an elephantfish of the family Mormyridae. Its genus name, Campylomormyrus, means bent or curved mormyrid, after the strongly down-curved snout. That snout is an extension of the jaws, not a true nose, and its tip carries electroreceptors and is sensitive to touch. It is also sold as the Rhynchophorus elephantnose or long nosed elephant nose.

In the wild

The curved snout mormyrid lives in the Congo River basin. It works rocky and sandy stretches of river with its curved snout.

Common questions

What size tank does a curved snout mormyrid need?

A curved snout mormyrid needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a curved snout mormyrid need?

A curved snout mormyrid is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a curved snout mormyrid eat?

A curved snout mormyrid eats meaty sinking foods such as bloodworm and blackworm. Feed it in the evening.

How big does a curved snout mormyrid get?

An adult curved snout mormyrid reaches about 8.7 in (22 cm).

Related species