Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas.

Here’s a complete and detailed guide to the Freshwater Dolphin Nose Fish, also known as the Elephant Nose Fish – a fascinating and unusual aquarium species with an elongated snout and incredible electrosensory abilities.

🐟 Dolphin Nose Fish (Elephant Nose Fish) – Full Information Guide

✅ Common Names:

• Dolphin Nose Fish

• Elephant Nose Fish

• Elephant-nose

• Long-nosed Elephant Fish

• Freshwater Dolphin Fish (not to be confused with marine dolphin fish)

🔬 Scientific Classification:

📏 Appearance:

🧠 Behavior & Intelligence:

• Nocturnal – most active at night

• Uses electrolocation to navigate, hunt, and communicate

• Highly intelligent and sensitive fish

• Can recognize their surroundings and even "personalize" tank areas

• May show territorial or shy behavior, especially with similar species

🌡️ Aquarium Requirements:

🧘 Temperament:

• Generally peaceful, but can be territorial with others of the same kind

• Best kept alone or in a large tank with other peaceful fish

• Avoid fast-moving, nippy, or aggressive species

🤝 Tank Mates:

Keep only one Dolphin Nose Fish per tank, unless tank is very large (100+ gallons) and heavily planted.

🍽️ Diet:

They are picky eaters and may refuse dry food initially. Start with frozen/live and slowly train to pellets.

🧬 Special Abilities:

• Possesses an electroreceptive organ in its extended mouth, allowing it to:

  • Navigate in total darkness

  • Detect small prey or obstacles

  • Communicate with other elephant-nose fish

• Part of a group of fish known as weakly electric fish

• Sensitive to electrical interference, including some equipment

❤️ Care Tips:

• Regular water changes (25–30% weekly) are essential

• Maintain stable parameters – they dislike fluctuations

• Handle with care – their skin and nose are delicate

🧬 Breeding:

• Very difficult in home aquariums

• Requires large tanks and precise water parameters

• Breeding mostly happens in the wild or under professional breeding conditions

• No confirmed reports of hobbyist-level breeding success

🕰️ Lifespan:

• 8 to 10 years in captivity with excellent care

• Some have lived up to 12 years in optimal conditions

🧾 Quick Summary Table:

🌟 Highlights:

• 🐘 Unique "trunk-like nose" used for sensing and feeding

• ⚡ Fascinating electrosensory ability – like radar in the water

• 🎨 Striking dark body with elegant white stripes

• 🌌 Active mostly at night, a joy to observe in low light

• 🤫 Very quiet and gentle, but requires specific care