Need a fish ID

[thewildlifeguy]

Greetings all. Interesting forum. I am the wildlife administrator for a large humane society in the northeast. I recently admitted a strange fish that I would like some help in identifying.

I initally though it to be an African snakehead but the fins are all wrong. It is not an indigenous species so a bowfin is out. It lacks the characteristic underslung jaw of the arawana. It has a large head, serious visible teeth, moderately coarse scales and individual anal fins. Currently it is a uniform gray in color. It is approximately 11 inches long and has happily eaten some feeder gold fish.

I will try and figure out how to post pics in the next hour or so. If anyone wants one emailed to them I can manage that. Thanks

The wildlife guy

 

[thewildlifeguy]

Lets see if this attachment works...

The wildlife guy

 

[Weylin]

Looks like some type of wolf fish.. not a 100% sure..

 

[Tucc185]

Definitely in the genus Hoplias, probably malabaricus, but I'm not positive on the species. Commonly referred to as wolf fish, these fish are in the characin family and get huge. I hope it wasn't confiscated from someone on the suspicion that it was a snakehead. Regardless, its a nice looking fish and will probably be a little reluctant to take anything but live feeders for a little while.

 

[thewildlifeguy]

Thanks so much for the input. Any chance it is a species of Bichir? Or are they one inthe same? Ongoing research around here...

The wildlife guy

 

[jloos1988]

100% wolffish not sure on exact species, prolly hoplias malabaricus

 

[Rockbass6]

100% wolf fish

 

[fugupuff]

yeah, its grossly malnourished, needs a lot of food for a decent recovery! hoplias malabaricus. nice and desired fish!

 

[Deminon]

i would say wolf fish by teeth, no idea what species tho.

 

[Infblue]

Any chance it is a species of Bichir? Or are they one inthe same?

no. wolffish and bichir are very different.