Your Cart
-
${ item.product_title }Rs. ${item.price}
Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas.
Here is the complete information about the Freshwater Dolphin Fish, commonly known as the Mormyrid Dolphin Fish – not to be confused with the marine Mahi-Mahi (also called dolphin fish). This guide covers everything about the true freshwater species often called the freshwater dolphin.
🐟 Freshwater Dolphin Fish – Complete Care Guide
✅ Common Names:
-
Freshwater Dolphin Fish
-
Dolphin Fish
-
Dolphin Head Fish
-
Baby Whale Fish (related species)
-
Mormyrid Fish
🔬 Scientific Classification:
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mormyrus longirostris (main species) |
| Also includes: Gnathonemus, Mormyrus spp. | |
| Family | Mormyridae |
| Origin | Central and West Africa – Nile, Niger, Congo river systems |
| Type | Weakly electric freshwater fish |
📏 Appearance:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Body Shape | Slender, elongated body with rounded head resembling a dolphin or whale |
| Color | Gray, brown to black, often with metallic or silvery shine |
| Size | 6–9 inches in aquariums (can grow up to 12 inches in the wild) |
| Snout | Some species have a slightly extended "dolphin-like" nose |
| Fins | Long anal fin, small dorsal fin; smooth and rounded fins |
🧠 Behavior & Personality:
-
Peaceful and shy
-
Nocturnal – active mostly during the night
-
Uses electroreception to navigate and find food in dark, murky water
-
Very intelligent and curious fish
-
Will explore their environment and can recognize keepers
🌡️ Aquarium Requirements:
| Parameter | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| Tank Size | Minimum 40–60 gallons for one adult |
| Temperature | 24°C – 28°C (75°F – 82°F) |
| pH Level | 6.5 – 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral) |
| Hardness | Soft to moderately hard water |
| Lighting | Dim or subdued lighting (they dislike bright light) |
| Substrate | Fine sand or smooth gravel to protect their body and snout |
| Décor | Provide rocks, caves, driftwood, and hiding spots |
| Plants | Live or artificial plants offer cover and comfort |
| Cover | Secure lid required – they may jump when startled |
| Filtration | Good filtration is essential, but avoid strong currents |
🧘 Temperament:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Social Behavior | Peaceful but best kept alone or in small groups |
| Territorial | Can show territorial behavior towards similar fish |
| Best Tankmates | Other peaceful community fish that don’t compete at night |
| Avoid | Aggressive, fast, or fin-nipping fish (e.g. tiger barbs, large cichlids) |
🍽️ Diet:
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Live Food | Bloodworms, tubifex, blackworms, brine shrimp |
| Frozen Food | Frozen daphnia, krill, mosquito larvae |
| Prepared Food | Sinking carnivore pellets (may take time to accept) |
| Feeding Time | Feed after lights off – they prefer dim conditions |
-
Freshwater dolphin fish are carnivores that prefer meaty foods
-
Avoid overfeeding and maintain high water quality
🧬 Special Abilities:
-
Part of the Mormyrid family, they can:
-
Produce and sense weak electrical signals
-
Detect prey, obstacles, and communicate in total darkness
-
-
Highly developed brain-to-body ratio (one of the highest among fish)
❤️ Care Tips:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Refusing dry food | Start with live/frozen food, gradually train to pellets |
| Injury to nose | Use soft substrate, avoid rough decor |
| Stressed behavior | Add more hiding spaces and reduce lighting |
| Compatibility issues | Avoid similar electric fish and aggressive tank mates |
| Health risks | Maintain clean water, avoid copper-based medications (toxic) |
🧬 Breeding:
-
Rarely breeds in captivity
-
No confirmed home aquarium breeding
-
Breeding in the wild linked to seasonal flooding and electric signaling
🕰️ Lifespan:
-
5 to 8 years in captivity
-
Can live up to 10 years with excellent care
🧾 Quick Summary:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mormyrus longirostris or related Mormyrids |
| Size | 6–9 inches |
| Tank Size | 40–60 gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful, shy |
| Diet | Carnivorous – live/frozen foods |
| Water pH | 6.5 – 7.5 |
| Temperature | 24–28°C |
| Special Trait | Electric sensing ability |
| Best For | Intermediate to advanced aquarists |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years |
🌟 Highlights of Freshwater Dolphin Fish:
-
🐬 Unique dolphin-like appearance
-
⚡ Electric-sensing capabilities for navigation and feeding
-
🌒 Nocturnal and peaceful nature makes them calm tank residents
-
🎓 Intelligent and sensitive – needs a thoughtful aquarist
-
🌿 Compatible with planted, peaceful aquariums
To avail free shipping, purchase amount should be Rs350/-(for Aquarium Accessories and Aquatic Plants) or more, less than the above amount shipping charges applicable Rs70/- only. For live fish delivery charges applicable at the time of checkout.
Orders are normally Shipped within 1-2 days and usually take 2-5 working days to be delivered based on your location. However, you will receive an approximate timeline when you place your order.
To ensure that your order reaches you quickly and in good condition, we only ship through reputed courier agencies.
