Tank mate for Gold Wolf?

[Green Monster]

I was lucky to find a Gold Wolf available about 4 months ago, and I have it in a 40B to grow it out for the next 6 months or so. (I do have an Aqueon 110 filter, and do 60% water change every 2 weeks, so water params are fine)

It was about 4.5" when I got it and is about 6.5" now, roughly .5" a month growth rate.

The only live food that it seems to be interested in is nightcrawlers. It goes beastmode on those, but for some reason doesn't seem to be that interested in other fish. I feed it up to 4 nightcrawlers regularly and it doesn't go more than a day or two without being fed.

For example, one of my exodons was looking a bit runty so I thought I would cull it and feed it to "Sharpie" (gold wolf has a black stripe down its side).

The friggin fish just let it swim around for weeks without doing anything more than playing with it so I just moved it back to the other tank.

I'm wondering if maybe my Gold needs to get a bit bigger before it starts to go aggro on fish, or maybe that his personality or feeding history somehow makes him uninterested in feeder fish.

Anyway, since he seemed to be amicable or indifferent to other fish, I thought perhaps he would be OK with a tankmate.

I wasn't sure if I should get some inexpensive fish to keep him company, which would be low risk because if he ate them it would be fine, or if I should invest in a decent fish as a tankmate. I know my tank is relatively small, but he's got some hiding places and I would add some more for any additions. I would also be concerned of reverse aggression.

I'm just not sure how things would play out, but if I could add one more cool fish to the tank, it would help liven things up.

Anyone dealt with a non fish-aggressive Gold, or have any insight for me?

Thanks!

 

[kno4te]

It's aggressive for sure. Wait till it gets bigger. Also try switching it to pellets,smelt, tilapia as it gets bigger it won't look at fish you introduce as food.

Once it gets about 16inches if u upgrade ur tank then it will be trying to own the tank.

Tankmates are basically needing be big enough. It to get eaten.

So pbass (no tem), lower jaw bichirs, catfish (ornate pim, vulture etc) other wolves, etc.

Once you add a tankmate that will be equal size to the wolf then u will need a quick upgrade. 40b ain't enough.

A group of gold wolves can be done and would be better in the long run to spread the aggression.

 

[Green Monster]

Appreciate the advice, perhaps I can direct it to not be so fish aggressive by feeding not live fish foods, although I had originally considered that one of the fun aspects of keeping it.

I think I may add some experimental smaller fish as tankmates to see how it plays out, but not try adding another similar size fish, because as you mentioned it would become too cramped and force them to compete for limited territory.

 

[kno4te]

Well the big issue is that anything that is upper zone swimming will be an issue once bigger.

Most wolves become more aggressive once 12 inches or bigger.

Gold wolves are a bit different cause I've had some 8 inchers that would tear up anything hitting the water. Even smaller they are more active and agressive.

Any fish you add will need to be adjusted to growth rate as well. Once ur gold is 12 inches it'll slow down and other tankmates can get bigger quick.

Just something to think about.

 

[QuDodger]

I keep a group of 5 7" golds with a hoplias intermedius, 4" bristlenose plecos, a softshell turtle, and a 5" ngt with no problems. They aren't aggressive with anything they can't eat but if they think they can eat it they will tear any smaller fish apart.

 

[ExoticGREEN]

Shouldn't be hard to get onto pellets. I got mine to pretty easily so should be easy

 

[Green Monster]

Re: the guy with a group of golds and other fish:e

How big of a tank do you have for that?

Appreciate the input everyone!

 

[kno4te]

Re: the guy with a group of golds and other fish:e

How big of a tank do you have for that?

Appreciate the input everyone!

QuDodger

 

[QuDodger]

They are currently housed in a 100gal but they are rapidly growing and I need to get my 180gal set up.