wolf fish diet and growth?

[tvbbnumber41]

Hi, me and my mom made a deal. If i can grow my 7 inch wolf fish up to 16 inches in a 55 gallon aquarium she would buy me a 125 aquarium tank.

I have him in a diet of cut up salmon, beef, and gold fish. Any better ideas? also how long does it take for them to get to 16 inches?

and just a video of what he looks right now. =] i got rid of every other fish in the tank. He didn't seem to bother them or vice versa but i assumed he'd grow quicker if quarentined. i suck at spelling i know im 15..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTjIJ3gX5zU

 

[sevendreamz]

first off, nice looking wolf u got there. looks pretty healthy. ok now im gonna try and help you the best i can. it seems that sometimes people come on here and ask a question and they receive answers that they do not listen to or jus completely disregard. first off, its nothing but cruelty to keep that wolf in a 55g till it is 16in, that will do nothing but stunt its growth and cause other issues, so sweet talk ur mom into gettin that tank earlier. at this size he will be fine for a lil while in the 55g but try and get in something larger, for most wolves grow an half an inch to an inch a month until 12in then it slows down somewhat. now to the diet, all three things you listed are def. not a staple/healthy diet for this fish. salmon is oily and fatty, not really healthy for the fish, and it can mess up water parameters from what i have heard. beef is not easily digested by fish, wolf fish are piscavorous which means they eat other fish, not beef, gold fish are a coldwater fish and not tropical. they are fatty and of little nutrional value to wolves. this diet could cause your wolf to die much earlier than it could actually live. try and get the wolf on dead foods, go to the grocery store and buy raw fish filets like tilapia, catfish, and etc....cut it into pieces and toss it in. whatever u dont use freeze it, and re-thaw for later use. raw shrimp is also good. stay away from cooked stuff because its not as nutritious and could have other additives in it. if you want to feed some live items as treats use earthworms, tropical feeder fish like cons, guppies, or etc, crayfish, although at this size make sure its a crayfish he's actually able to tackle...lol. dont get one to big.....i hope this helps and you actually listen to this advice.....

oh yeah and from ur vid that tank looks bright and doesnt hv any cover for the wolf to hide and relax. they do not like bright light and love to lay in driftwood or plants or something. get some driftwood, or something like a cave or something, they feel much more comfortable with places to hide. they are a noctural fish so they will be most active at night. good luck

 

[devder1]

can u keep a wolf in a 75 for life??

 

[sevendreamz]

can u keep a wolf in a 75 for life??

a 75g will hold a wolf for a good while but an adult 15in and larger specimen will need at least a 120g. most people think b/c wolves are not constant swimmers that they are fine in smaller tanks, but this is untrue. a 75g will last for a long time if u get a small wolf but eventually a 120g will be perfect.

 

[channarox]

sevendreamz pretty much covered it....

heres my input though:
it will probably never get to 16" in that 55g.
it will be stunted and unhealthy.
salmon,beef and goldfish are in no way a good diet for him.
feed him a varied,healthy,diet of pellets,shrimp,lean fish meat and occasional feeders.
no goldfish.
get him some hiding places to make him feel more comfortable.
also,darker gravel will bring out his colors.
he will grow between 0.5 - 2 inches per month up til about 12 inches depending on feeding,water changes etc.
but expect 0.5 to 1 inch per month.

try to get your mom to read all that we've said and see if she'll get the 125g earlier...

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

I beleive that the fish would die before reaching 16'' in a 12'' wide tank. Try to make a deal with your mom to lower the size to say 11-12''. That way it will give you all some time to save up and it will not be as unhealthy for the wolf. By the way you are 15 so why don't you make a deal with your mom to pay for 50% of the tank and you earn the rest of the money. Or just earn the money your self and get her to help you get it home and set up. Like she payes for the decorations for a birthday/holiday. A 125g tank set up is a hefty gift just out of the blue and no other special occansion.

 

[channarox]

I beleive that the fish would die before reaching 16'' in a 12'' wide tank. Try to make a deal with your mom to lower the size to say 11-12''. That way it will give you all some time to save up and it will not be as unhealthy for the wolf. By the way you are 15 so why don't you make a deal with your mom to pay for 50% of the tank and you earn the rest of the money. Or just earn the money your self and get her to help you get it home and set up. Like she payes for the decorations for a birthday/holiday. A 125g tank set up is a hefty gift just out of the blue and no other special occansion.

im 15 and i paid everything for my setup...
fish and all.
parents pay for the water and electricity.

 

[tvbbnumber41]

ill be sure to do that. just a quick q, when u said shrimp u mean like the shrimp they sell at teh supermarket from the ocean?

 

[devder1]

im 15 and i paid everything for my setup...
fish and all.
parents pay for the water and electricity.

me too!
the money isnt even the problem! lol i save up my money for fish stuff and i usually have a good reserve
the hardest part is definitely convincing the parents!!!!!!

 

[sevendreamz]

ill be sure to do that. just a quick q, when u said shrimp u mean like the shrimp they sell at teh supermarket from the ocean?

yeah jus regualar shrimp...make sure its raw though.....dont buy cooked shrimp.....