Elephant baby whale
Pollimyrus isidori
Also known as Isidori baby whale, Dwarf elephantnose, Round nose whale
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
- pH
- 6.5–7.8
- Adult size
- 3.9 in (10 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal (110 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Nile and Sahelian basins
- Family
- Mormyridae
Overview
A small, plump, secretive elephantfish that suits a quiet, well-planted tank. It is best kept singly, since it can be territorial toward its own kind in the space a home tank offers, and tankmates should be chosen with caution: small, calm, and not greedy at feeding time. Provide soft sand, dense cover from wood and plants, dim light, and very stable water. Feed small meaty foods such as bloodworm, blackworm, and daphnia after dark, when it forages. A tank of around 110 liters suits this modest 10 cm fish.
In the wild
Pollimyrus isidori is found across the Nile and the Sahelian rivers of Africa, keeping to weedy, sheltered margins and slow water. Recreate that with a soft sand bed, plenty of planting and wood, subdued light, and gentle filtration. Keep it warm at 24-28 C and neutral to slightly alkaline, around pH 6.5-7.8, and very steady. As with other mormyrids, avoid copper medications and keep the water spotless.
Good to know
This elephantfish of the family Mormyridae grows to only about 10 cm and matures at around 6 cm. It is one of the very few mormyrids to have spawned in captivity, in research settings, where males build and guard nests. Otherwise it senses and communicates through a weak electric organ discharge like the rest of its family. Routine aquarium breeding is not established.
Did you know
Courting males of this electric fish also sing: they produce grunts, moans, and growls with the swim bladder to serenade females, and each male's song is distinct enough to work like a personal signature.
Common questions
What size tank does an Elephant baby whale need?
An Elephant baby whale needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Elephant baby whale need?
Elephant baby whale are comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.
How big do Elephant baby whale get?
An adult Elephant baby whale reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).
Where to buy
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