I should be getting my order sometime next week for my wolf. I was originally planning on keeping him alone but if possible what tank mates could go along with my wolf?
Tank mates for Hoplias Malabaricus
- Thread starter D12DetroitD12
- Start date
It's hard to say. I have kept malas that were hard core wimps and others that would fight with everything. I think your best bet is housing it alone while it is young and try a few cheap robust dithers like bigger myleus or tinfoil barbs and if he doesn't bother those you could probably try mixing him with stuff that are tough and robust, but at the same time not too aggressive.
I had serious problems mixing hoplias with many CA and SA cichlid species. I tried a massive "laid back" critinellum, it just pushed the hoplias around all the time, tried some big vieja, got similar results. Also tried dovii and hoplarchus which were absolutely relentless, and were beating on the hoplias constantly. The only cichlids that big alright were exCichlasome boucourti, massive uarus and cichla. However I found the cichla just ate everything before the hoplias got the chance.
I also tried a variety of large bichirs with no problems, but when I tried to mix a similar sized aussie lung, the wolf tried attacking it immediately. I also got away with mixing silver arowana, big chunky characins and barbs (tinfoil barbs, myleus schomburgkii, and flag tails). Even got away with mixing some catfish. Trachycorystes did pretty well, as well as similar chunky, mid sized catfish.
It's really touch and go, I would suggest maybe growing your wolf up alone, mixing something cheap and tough in with him first. If all goes well introduce him to a tank already stocked with suitable tank mates. The perfect hoplias to mix is one that is confident, but not too aggressive and is feeding on prepared foods (at least frozen).
Good Luck,
Justin Morash
I had serious problems mixing hoplias with many CA and SA cichlid species. I tried a massive "laid back" critinellum, it just pushed the hoplias around all the time, tried some big vieja, got similar results. Also tried dovii and hoplarchus which were absolutely relentless, and were beating on the hoplias constantly. The only cichlids that big alright were exCichlasome boucourti, massive uarus and cichla. However I found the cichla just ate everything before the hoplias got the chance.
I also tried a variety of large bichirs with no problems, but when I tried to mix a similar sized aussie lung, the wolf tried attacking it immediately. I also got away with mixing silver arowana, big chunky characins and barbs (tinfoil barbs, myleus schomburgkii, and flag tails). Even got away with mixing some catfish. Trachycorystes did pretty well, as well as similar chunky, mid sized catfish.
It's really touch and go, I would suggest maybe growing your wolf up alone, mixing something cheap and tough in with him first. If all goes well introduce him to a tank already stocked with suitable tank mates. The perfect hoplias to mix is one that is confident, but not too aggressive and is feeding on prepared foods (at least frozen).
Good Luck,
Justin Morash
JMorash;3748605; said:
Ok thanks for the advice, ill probably wait a while to see how he reacts to my other fish. I have a tiger Oscar that is big enough to not get eaten by the wolf and he usually doesn't both anyone else, he's just a big pig.
keep it with other fish once you get it,they start to become aggressive when kept alone or with ample space to make territories.
The bigger the tank the better - 75 gal is gonna be a lil tight for a Mala and large enuff tankmates. Malas grow to a robust 12" very quickly.