Hoplias sp..please id

[aquaman45]

Hi Guys,

We recently got this Wolf fish at the shop. The guy that originally owned it said the locality where it was collected was on the border of Brazil and Argentina, it was however caught on the Argentina side. If its any help he called it something that sounded like Hoplias azule but not that of course.

I have seen many Hoplias species but 3 things strike me as different, one the body is short coupled and extremely stocky, two, the fins(apart from dorsal) are red as is the operculum, and finally it has a spoon head, though I have seen this in trait with other Wolf fish species.

The fish is currently approx 12" long.

Anyone help?

 

[BuffaloPolypteridae]

Wow idk the specie but just wow. That thing is amazing haha

Sent from my DROID4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[kevinfleming21]

It's a Malabaricus, but I'm not sure what is going on with the red fins. That does not look normal or well.

 

[koltsixx]

I'm with Kev on both the Mala and the red/pink not lookin' good, especially since the red extends to the gills.

 

[zapantha]

Ammonia burn?


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[00biet]

Nice. I haven't seen this side.

 

[DB junkie]

I believe this fish could be one of 2 wolves we've seen offered over here......

One is imported as "red Lacardae" but turns out to be a Mala variant.

Wes (Rare fish) currently has an Argentinian Hoplias that was brought in as Hoplias sp. Iguazu.

It is unclear whether or not these 2 offerings are indeed the same fish, cause it wasn't clear where the first offering was caught, but both seem to end up being a Mala variant.

I can't remember who had one, but someone over seas has posted pics of their Iguazu....... Not finding it searching though.

 

[koltsixx]

Well if you do please keep us updated as I've never seen a wolf exhibiting red coloration like that on the fins and gills and imagine if one is out there, that was settled it would make quite an impressive sight.

 

[aquaman45]

I believe this fish could be one of 2 wolves we've seen offered over here......

One is imported as "red Lacardae" but turns out to be a Mala variant.

Wes (Rare fish) currently has an Argentinian Hoplias that was brought in as Hoplias sp. Iguazu.

It is unclear whether or not these 2 offerings are indeed the same fish, cause it wasn't clear where the first offering was caught, but both seem to end up being a Mala variant.

I can't remember who had one, but someone over seas has posted pics of their Iguazu....... Not finding it searching though.

That's the one Alan!..Iguazu!
I wrote the name down on a piece of paper and lost it!

The guy said it was 1 of only 3 in the UK, he paid a hell of a lot of money for it, £350 I believe!!!

I was going to add on my first post that this is definitely not a bacterial infection, I have been keeping and working with rare and exotic fish for 40 years plus, trust me I know the difference. Having said that I can see where all you guys are coming from, because the red is in the rays of the fins it does look bacterial at first but then on closer inspection its apparent this is not the case, this fish is a long term captive, its always been this way.

Trust one of my fellow Stingray keepers to come to the rescue...cheers Alan.

Thanks fellas for your contributions.

 

[DB junkie]

That's the one Alan!..Iguazu!
I wrote the name down on a piece of paper and lost it!

The guy said it was 1 of only 3 in the UK, he paid a hell of a lot of money for it, £350 I believe!!!

I was going to add on my first post that this is definitely not a bacterial infection, I have been keeping and working with rare and exotic fish for 40 years plus, trust me I know the difference. Having said that I can see where all you guys are coming from, because the red is in the rays of the fins it does look bacterial at first but then on closer inspection its apparent this is not the case, this fish is a long term captive, its always been this way.

Trust one of my fellow Stingray keepers to come to the rescue...cheers Alan.

Thanks fellas for your contributions.

Richard,

Your pics make me want one of these things pretty bad. Gorgeous wolf, but VERY little info out there on them.

Can you tell us about the temperament? Is he a feisty lil bugger? Kept with tank mates?

Do you have any info on the growth rate or suspected max size? Didn't know how much info the previous owner gave you.....

When Wes brought his in it was originally called a Lacerdae, and looking at your pics I can definitely see the resemblance. Your wolf's head looks just like my lower Xingu Lacerdae.