Erythrinus erythrinus care?

[NotReallyCatfishGuy]

I know I can easily look up the info for the care of these fish but I'd rather get information and experience from people I know aren't here to try and sell me this fish. (Like how some sites give you wrong info to sell you a fish that grows to 2ft long)

I'm planning on getting a red wolf fish (erythrinus erythrinus) sometime after Christmas in a 55g or 75g. I'm planning on having one specimen alone, so I want to know what one would need and where I can buy one online (if I can't get my lfs to special order one for me). I really need water chemicals (and how to control them), scaping (if I need hides, if I can plant it, if I need to avoid certain things, etc.), substrate, tank mates, tank size, and feeding.

Thanks in advance

 

[twentyleagues]

I have done a lot of research on these as I want or wanted one. (I still do) I had the immediate availability of a Schoutedeni puffer come up and the wolf fish got pushed to the back. From the info ive found on them is this, best as solitary or species tank, id say 75 is min tank size, planted would work well, tight lids a must, anything that goes in the tank could get hit so use caution with hands. They can and may kill fish bigger then themselves and may eat all smaller.
J jaws7777 had one and I think he lost a catfish to it......
As for the rest of it seems pretty easy as fish keeping goes. Water clean, feed a varied diet. Instead of hides maybe use surface plants that way you will see it more and it will feel more secure.

 

[kno4te]

Online stores have them. Exotic fish shop has them now. Red and purple. 55g or 75g would be fine. Will get 8-10in. My old red was 10in. Had it with polys and small tetras. Not picky and will take food. Will bully and eat smaller tankmates. Larger tankmates will be left alone usually. No tankamtes that are too aggressive like a dovii. You get the picture i think. Not much more to add to what twentyleagues mentioned.

 

[duanes]

In nature the Amazonian South American species reach almost 2 feet in length, so a tank over 2 ft wide, and much longer will be needed at some point in the future for the fish to comfortably turn around (a lot water depth however, is not needed).
The Central American species (H microlepis) average length is around 16" so a bit more manageable.
They are a very placid species, tending to sit motionless most of the day, and hunting at dusk. Here in Panama they are a favorite of sport fishermen and found in the Rio Chagres (part of the Panama Canal) and called Tiger fish. They are often caught in very shallow highly vegetated areas.
There is also a southern South American species (H lacerdae) from Uruguay and Argentina that can tolerate slightly cooler water, and may do well with a slight winter cool down.

 

[PYRU]

In nature the Amazonian South American species reach almost 2 feet in length, so a tank over 2 ft wide, and much longer will be needed at some point in the future for the fish to comfortably turn around (a lot water depth however, is not needed).
The Central American species (H microlepis) average length is around 16" so a bit more manageable.
They are a very placid species, tending to sit motionless most of the day, and hunting at dusk. Here in Panama they are a favorite of sport fishermen and found in the Rio Chagres (part of the Panama Canal) and called Tiger fish. They are often caught in very shallow highly vegetated areas.
There is also a southern South American species (H lacerdae) from Uruguay and Argentina that can tolerate slightly cooler water, and may do well with a slight winter cool down.

Red wolf fish get that big?

 

[duanes]

Here is a quote from the book "Freshwater Fishes of Costa Rica" by W Bussing.
"The largest species, Hoplius malabaricus reaches 600mm in length" and H. microlepis from the Rio Chagras, Panama "reaches at least 400mm".
My dentist in the states was an avid fishermen, who traveled the world for fish like these,and would show me his photos (many like the one below, although that's not him)
and
365 × 320

 

[NotReallyCatfishGuy]

Here is a quote from the book "Freshwater Fishes of Costa Rica" by W Bussing.
"The largest species, Hoplius malabaricus reaches 600mm in length" and H. microlepis from the Rio Chagras, Panama "reaches at least 400mm".
My dentist in the states was an avid fishermen, who traveled the world for fish like these,and would show me his photos (many like the one below, although that's not him)
and
365 × 320

I think you've got the wrong fish. The fish in question is the erythrinus erythrinus, which is one of the smaller species usually capping at 10" in length.

 

[duanes]

You are right, I mixed them up with Hoplias. Your target fish is much smaller, probably less than 10".

 

[justarn]

Yes 10" is huge for a red 8-9 more likely.
Great fish, I've had one jump, fill every gap.
Good luck, hikari massivore gets em growing really well.

 

[bathawk]

I had a purple one got to about 9 inches had it in a 55g very ative when young as it got older it spent more time in its cave but during the night it would ome out sold it after 3 years as I had too many 1 tank fish they are a great fish the purle one I had was a beauty. Yes I fed mine hikari massivore and reached to its 9 inhes in about a year or less.