elephantnose fish

The body is elongated, black, laterally compressed. The dorsal fin is very far back, at the same level as the anal fin. The thick fins participate in locomotion. Two white bands run horizontally across the body. The first extends from the first ray of the dorsal fin to the first ray of the anal fin, the second joins the middle of the two fins. These white bands fade with age.

The caudal fin is homocercal in V shape. Despite appearances, the trunk is not the nose, it is an outgrowth located on the fish's lower jaw. It is used to dig the ground in search of small prey. The mouth, small in size, is located above the "trunk".

This species has an electric emitting organ at the level of the caudal peduncle and a receiving electric organ at the head.

The elephantnose fish lives in schools in its natural environment, with a hierarchy existing among individuals of the same school. The elephantnose fish is not known to be very aggressive towards fish of its own species or different species. However, in enclosed environments, individuals may kill each other.

The Gnathonemus petersii moves along the bottom while digging the substrate with its trunk in search of aquatic microorganisms. Hunting preferably occurs when the light is low or at night.

The elephantnose fish is a species whose mode of reproduction is still unknown.