Question about (soon to be) new Malabaricus

[bettapatua]

Hi everyone. It's me again from Indonesia. I have some question for you whom i believe more experienced.

It's about wolffish. As you know, for now i already have a Ery Ery like i wrote in some thread before. Now, that i'm into this fish, i want to upgrading to a Hoplias. By chance, a friend of mine here offer me a Malabaricus, to be exactly a small Mala, no more than 4 inches.

The problem is, i want to starting a 100-ish gallon tank, i mean to order, set up, cycle it etc. Before that, for now i only have a 30 gallon quarantine/grow out tank (80*40*40 cm). I don't want to put him/her there for life, for sure. I want to give him/her a nice home and i have plan to prepare it.

The question is, for how long i can kept a Mala size 4 inches in a 30 gallons tank? Until what size? I want to make him/her healthy first in there, for temporary of course.

Second, i want to try a black-ish water tank, with tannin and maybe few plants. Cause as far as i know, it's their natural habitat. Can i keep a Mala in blackwater style tank? With tannins, low light, low PH etc.

FYI, actually i don't really care about his/her locality, character, or being a 'furniture' and don't so active like people said. I just love this fish. And i want to give him/her a nice home, with my best.

Thanks before for all the answer. Sorry for my bad English

 

[tlindsey]

Hi everyone. It's me again from Indonesia. I have some question for you whom i believe more experienced.

It's about wolffish. As you know, for now i already have a Ery Ery like i wrote in some thread before. Now, that i'm into this fish, i want to upgrading to a Hoplias. By chance, a friend of mine here offer me a Malabaricus, to be exactly a small Mala, no more than 4 inches.

The problem is, i want to starting a 100-ish gallon tank, i mean to order, set up, cycle it etc. Before that, for now i only have a 30 gallon quarantine/grow out tank (80*40*40 cm). I don't want to put him/her there for life, for sure. I want to give him/her a nice home and i have plan to prepare it.

The question is, for how long i can kept a Mala size 4 inches in a 30 gallons tank? Until what size? I want to make him/her healthy first in there, for temporary of course.

Second, i want to try a black-ish water tank, with tannin and maybe few plants. Cause as far as i know, it's their natural habitat. Can i keep a Mala in blackwater style tank? With tannins, low light, low PH etc.

FYI, actually i don't really care about his/her locality, character, or being a 'furniture' and don't so active like people said. I just love this fish. And i want to give him/her a nice home, with my best.

Thanks before for all the answer. Sorry for my bad English

kno4te

 

[kno4te]

You have about 6-8 months till it’ll be too big. It can be placed in a brackish tank. Make sure the ph is kept stable as possible.

 

[bettapatua]

You have about 6-8 months till it’ll be too big. It can be placed in a brackish tank. Make sure the ph is kept stable as possible.

Thank you so much for the answer. I'll try my best to provide the nice home for them.

 

[tvbbnumber41]

Thank you so much for the answer. I'll try my best to provide the nice home for them.

Make sure you cover the top!!! They love jumping. I lost several wolves that way. Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[bettapatua]

Make sure you cover the top!!! They love jumping. I lost several wolves that way. Good luck and keep us updated!

Thank you so much mate. As for the cover for their tanks, i learned it alot from my Ery Ery. The first time Eryu going in new home, he/she jumps a couple times, for a couple days. From what i've read, and from what i learned in this forum (thank God i join this forum) i believe their jumps are more about water parameters and adaptation. So i put a strong but soft material than glass (i'm afraid Eryu gonna hurt if i use glass)... it's thick plastic board called impraboard here. It's came with various color, but i choose white, so the light still can through in less strong. I knew they really like dim light, make them feel more safe. I fix the water parameter, and of course a couple 10-20% water change every three days. Now, it have been 5 months, and Eryu way more calm, way more fat, way more active and, happy hahaha. I love Eryu. Thanks again for the answer ?

 

[bettapatua]

Oh i forgot. Definitely i will give the updates soon. Thank you.

 

[zapatower]

Hi Bettapatua;
Where did you get the tanin or you are refering to the natural root content? Definitely, you need more space to the Hoplias malabaricus. I had one, try to avoid the place the aquarium near a door, because could be stressful for the fish and hit with the aquarium walls and suffer a jaw damage. I looking forward your response.

 

[bettapatua]

Hi Bettapatua;
Where did you get the tanin or you are refering to the natural root content? Definitely, you need more space to the Hoplias malabaricus. I had one, try to avoid the place the aquarium near a door, because could be stressful for the fish and hit with the aquarium walls and suffer a jaw damage. I looking forward your response.

Sorry for the slow response. Tannins in here are from Catappa leaves. It's quiet easy to get those leaves here, that are popular among Betta antusiats. From what i read and i experience myself, Catappa leaves have many pros when used, like anti-stress, help with healing, anti bacterial, lowering PH etc.
About the roots, i usually use Santigi drift wood that naturally sinked in water, also quiet popular amongst aquarists here. And for the space, i just put him/her there (30 gallon grow out tank) for temporary. Of course i prepare larger tank (around 100 gallons), healthy tank for him/her, alone. I personally love the species tank. Near the door? Yes i wouldn't put my tank near the door. Thanks alot for the advice