[jacobsears]

I found a website that sells them, but it says that they're out of stock-

http://aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/wild/african_tropical_fish.htm

On the right-hand side of the page (scroll down) it says not to bother asking when they'll be back in stock, so it could be awhile. They also don't have much information about the fish, not even the exact species that they're selling. They just call them "Premium Baby Whales".

 

[jacobsears]

Just an update-
A few days ago I told my friend (who also keeps fish) about these "baby whale fish". Anyways, he was at the lfs and said that they had one in stock. I thought it must be something that they just mislabeled, but he brought it back and it is in fact a type of Mormyridae, but I don't know exactly what species. It was (not to my surprise) labeled simply as a baby whale fish. It is similar to the picture above, but it looks like it's had a rough time. Most of the fins are torn, and it seems skinnier than it should be. I'll post pics as soon as I get it acclimated. I hope it makes it.

 

[jacobsears]

Thanks for the information. I'm pretty sure these fish are considered scaleless fish, like cory cats. Scaleless fish usually don't have much tolerance for salt, correct? I would like to try adding epsom salt, but I don't want to do more harm than good. I'll definitely try to get some live food for it this weekend.

Also, I was trying to get a picture of the fish earlier, but it only comes out of hiding when the lights are off. I think that I saw him eating (or at least attempting to eat) some freeze-dried bloodworms that I'd soaked in water for awhile. It was difficult to tell for sure because of how dark it is in the tank.

Bump:

I have a baby whale.... I have him temporarily in a 10g till he can go back into the 55g. Very shy fish. I only see him at feeding time and night since they are nocturnal. I didn't want to have to do the whole feeding at night too so he's gotten used to coming out in the light. Once he's done feeding he goes back and hides. I do have to say though I love this fish. It is hard to find information.

What do you usually feed him? Do you know if it is possible to get them to eat frozen or freeze-dried foods?

 

[jacobsears]

Another update-

I added epsom salt to the water and fed a pinch of live blackworms. He immediately ate a few but left the majority of them alone. I'm planning on breeding the blackworms because I can not go to the store to get them very often. I've seen several different ways of doing it. Is there a specific technique that anyone recomends? I plan on using a plastic container with shallow water and a thin layer of gravel at the bottom, plus an air stone. I also wonder if it would be beneficial to add some java moss to the blackworm culture.

 

[jacobsears]

After doing some research, I think that this is the specific species that I have-
Brienomyrus brachyistius
There is very little information on them, but it appears that they grow to be 4 to 6 inches in length. I've found one report of a successful attempt at captive breeding with these fish.

Bump:

I buy a lot when I go to the store and can keep them for months in the fridge as long as I change the water every few days. Also after a while im sure you could train the fish to accept frozen bloodworms instead of live blackworms. Thats what I was able to do with my scarlet badi and dwarf puffer (both fish generally are said to only eat live food)

Do you think that they must be refrigerated? Several websites that I've found said that refrigeration does nothing but slow their metabolism.