I am currently fostering a wolf fish (Hoplias malabaricus) and contemplating keeping it. I have a few questions, however, should I keep him/her long term.
- I am aware that growth rate is variable based on dietary intake and temperature. However, under "average" temps and feeding, can anyone give me a ballpark of growth rate? I'm not looking at inches per year, rather, how long they take to reach full size typically? Am I looking at less than a year before I have a 20" behemoth, or is growth more gradual and spanning a few years? This is a deciding factor in if I can keep him or find him a home, because while I plan to move in the next year or two to someplace where I can have a much bigger tank, the max I can provide right now is 75g.
- What is the size tank these guys actually need at maturity? I have read everything from 40g (ridiculous) to 75g (still seems kinda ridiculous). Is a 75g actually a suitable minimum for a fish of this size, or do they need more like 100+? Would a very large stock tank (100-300g) do so long as it had a lid built? Could I get away with a strong plastic mesh lid affixed to the stock tank instead of a solid lid, as I hear these guys can hurt themselves jumping up?
- Finally, are pellets or whole foods suggested? I prefer feeding whole foods and have been offering fish (livebearers and silversides), nightcrawlers, caterpillars, crickets, cockroaches, and krill. He feeds well on these items. He has absolutely no interest in pellets but I've read that younger fish (this one is maybe 6"?) should have pellets.
Your assistance greatly appreciated
- I am aware that growth rate is variable based on dietary intake and temperature. However, under "average" temps and feeding, can anyone give me a ballpark of growth rate? I'm not looking at inches per year, rather, how long they take to reach full size typically? Am I looking at less than a year before I have a 20" behemoth, or is growth more gradual and spanning a few years? This is a deciding factor in if I can keep him or find him a home, because while I plan to move in the next year or two to someplace where I can have a much bigger tank, the max I can provide right now is 75g.
- What is the size tank these guys actually need at maturity? I have read everything from 40g (ridiculous) to 75g (still seems kinda ridiculous). Is a 75g actually a suitable minimum for a fish of this size, or do they need more like 100+? Would a very large stock tank (100-300g) do so long as it had a lid built? Could I get away with a strong plastic mesh lid affixed to the stock tank instead of a solid lid, as I hear these guys can hurt themselves jumping up?
- Finally, are pellets or whole foods suggested? I prefer feeding whole foods and have been offering fish (livebearers and silversides), nightcrawlers, caterpillars, crickets, cockroaches, and krill. He feeds well on these items. He has absolutely no interest in pellets but I've read that younger fish (this one is maybe 6"?) should have pellets.
Your assistance greatly appreciated
