Elephant nose and baby whale together??

[LilMonsters]

So my fish supplier sometimes has a rough time getting some of the species I am after so I have ordered a few at once...
Well the EN and BW both showed up today... I was ready before ordering, but didn't think they would arrive together if at all.

So my question is, will they be okay together?
They will be in our planted tank with a few rummys. Plenty of hiding and fed frozen blood worms, brine shrimp and maybe some small live guys if I can locate them.
I have smooth natural rocks in the tank about the size of a dime to pencil eraser. I have read they prefer soft substrate as their noses can get damaged since they have them in the substrate constantely searching for food. Think this smooth stones will be ok, it isnt the rough aquarium gravel so I am hopefull for it.

Also they both use the electrical "sonar" and though I've read many articles about keeping only one in a tank because of this, I've have seen just as many posts stating its not a true issue and it can be done. I of course will be keeping a close eye on the behaviors of bothg to ensure they are not looking stressed or darting around as if "short circuiting" as it was referred to in one article.

Anyway Just wanting some feedback on the topic to give these guys the best I can.

Thanks

 

[LilMonsters]

Well, they have been together for the last two days and no issues.
The BW is a considerable amount smaller than the EN , but they have been hanging out side by side and now the EN is out exploring the tank more and more.
The BW is still in hiding. I haven't seen either of them eat but maybe the EN just a bite or two, it's really hard to tell if it's eating without getting too close and scaring it...
Had some scary moments with the EN the morning after putting them in the tank. It started losing its dark color and by that night looked like it was peeling, film hanging off 90% of its body. Did a 60 or 70% water change with water from a long established tank and it turn around by the next morning, it was rubbing itself on the decor getting the whatever it was off and as of this morning and this evening looks and is acting wonderful...
Now to make sure it's eating....
Hope this helps anybody with similar questions or similar situation. ...

 

[Betta132]

If I remember correctly, morymids shed their slime coat when they're stressed or exposed to an irritant.
Could it be registering the baby whale's electrical field as an irritant?
Or maybe it was just a bit unhappy and not quite feeling so good, and it's better now.

 

[kno4te]

I wouldn't mix them. They can detect each other for sure. Most of these do better in groups. More than one of the same fish is ok. Mixing can result in one fish bullying the other and the stress will cause them not to eat and die. Pack of six or more EN or BW prevents them from turning on each other. I would make separate areas for them to reside in, opposite sides of the tank. Sandy bottom and feed at night. These fish are more nocturnal feeders/hunters. Some members will mix these type of fish with success but long term I haven't seen too much of. Keep an eye out and wouldn't advise getting more as they can gang up on the other lone fish.

 

[Ceiling_Matt]

ground the tank first of all, secondly like everyone has said, the electrical fields are interfering with eachother; there are some mormyrids that enjoy the company of others of their kind; like baby whales and peter's elephant noses, but there are also a lot of elephant noses that are utterly intolerant of conspecifics or other electrical fish, so exactly what mormyrid do you have?

 

[LilMonsters]

Here they are...the EN is looking and acting fine, offered food tonight but I think I moved too fast and it went and hid so I just dropped the blood worms in there and left the room dark.
The BW isn't looking extremely good. I'm going to do another 50 to 70% wc tomorrow
They still seem to not mind each other and choose to hang out together behind the piece of wood... I have many plants and a clear tube tucked in there with them so they could separate if they wanted to. I've seen them side by side almost touching and not once witnessed any type of aggressive behavior or stressed swimming patterns. .. I'm watching them closely.

 

[LilMonsters]

The white spots are on the glass not the fish, but I do see the EN fins look roughed up a bit... he was just shipped from Southern California and then dropped in here so he has had a tough week. ..

 

[kno4te]

May want to keep an eye out at night time when they are both active. Just may not be catching it at the right time. Can always separate if needed till the BW recovers. Consider getting a divider in case of emergency.

 

[LilMonsters]

A divider is a good idea, I'll have to see what I have... each of my other tanks have either a BGK, brown knife, blue lobster, an agressive leaf or aros...I guess this could be a reason to need a 6th tank....

 

[Ceiling_Matt]

EN's don't touch when they fight, they stand a few inches away from eachother and rythmically pump their fins fighting electrically (actually trying to overpower eachothers' signals)