TankBud

Eastern bottlenose mormyrid

Mormyrus longirostris

Also known as Eastern bottlenose elephant fish, Dolphin mormyrid

FreshwaterFish

Eastern bottlenose mormyrid (Mormyrus longirostris)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
29.5 in
75 cm
Minimum tank
185 gal
700 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
Zambezi and East African lakes

Overview

The eastern bottlenose mormyrid is a very large, gentle elephantfish for pond-scale aquariums only. Only experienced keepers with room for a giant tank should try one.

Did you know

The appealing eastern bottlenose mormyrid juveniles sold for aquariums grow into fish that can top ten kilograms, about the weight of a large housecat. That is why it is really a species for public displays rather than living rooms.

Caring for the eastern bottlenose mormyrid

Plan on at least 185 gal (700 L) for an eastern bottlenose mormyrid, and considerably more if you can. Give it a big footprint with a deep bed of soft sand to plow with its long snout. Add wood for cover, dim light, a gentle current and generous swimming room.

Keep 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. Hold the quality rock-solid and extremely stable, and avoid copper-based medications, as with all mormyrids. Feed meaty sinking foods such as earthworm, prawn and mussel after dark.

Keep it singly, since it does not tolerate others of its kind. Choose any tank mates with caution. They should be large and calm, and not inclined to nip or compete for food. Its breeding is not recorded in the aquarium.

Good to know

The eastern bottlenose mormyrid belongs to the family Mormyridae and carries the down-swept bottlenose snout typical of the genus Mormyrus. It navigates and feeds using a weak electric field generated by an organ in the tail. It is a food and sport fish across its range, and it is also called the eastern bottlenose elephant fish or dolphin mormyrid.

In the wild

The eastern bottlenose mormyrid is found in the lower and middle Zambezi, in eastern and southern Africa. It also lives in the lakes and rivers of the Zambian Congo system, foraging over soft bottoms.

Common questions

What size tank does an eastern bottlenose mormyrid need?

An eastern bottlenose mormyrid needs at least 185 gal (700 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an eastern bottlenose mormyrid need?

An eastern bottlenose mormyrid is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does an eastern bottlenose mormyrid eat?

An eastern bottlenose mormyrid eats meaty sinking foods such as earthworm, prawn and mussel. Feed it after dark.

How big does an eastern bottlenose mormyrid get?

An adult eastern bottlenose mormyrid reaches about 29.5 in (75 cm).

Related species