Depressed, Elephant Nose Fish Mass Suicide

[sawickib]

I had six elephant nose fish in my 55 gallon and i was looking for my other elephant nose fish and only found 2 so I was like huh where are they? So i look to the said and my heart drops, i see one of my elephant nose fish lying there dead. I start freaking out and look to the back of my tank, and 3 more victim have jumped out. I know i have to fix my major problem i read they were jumpers but had no idea that your entire tank needs to be covered. So im wondering if i should get 4 more or split up the last two i have or return them this got me really bummed, almost started to cry. I just dont know what i should do anymore.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Keep it very well covered. It's up to you what you want to do.
What are the water parameters? Usually fish jump out for a reason

 
Extremely sorry for your losses by the way. I think I'd cry, no shame in doing so.

 

[sawickib]

ammonia- 0ppm

nitrite- 0ppm

nitrate- 40ppm

pH- 8.0

 

[Creature Seeker]

I've kept many Mormyridae and have read a lot around the subject, including the idea that they are very intelligent fish and believe that there is a bigger volume of water (i.e. a river) outside of the tank, so a completely covered tank is a must.  Don't give up on these fish as they are a fantastic species.  I have got some to hand feed in the past.

 

[sawickib]

I think the reason they jumped out is because my largest EN was about a inch or two larger than the rest hes a double mouth and dominates most of the tank.
I was hoping to raise 6 of them in my 55 gallon and upgrade them all to a 125 gallon later so I dont want to give up on them, but idk if i have money to put their numbers back to 6 so there is less aggression.