Wolf fish(hoplias mala.) and Texas cichlid issues

[Irecruitfish]

Today I finally put my wolf fish(6 inch or so) in a 125 gallon which is housed by a Texas cichlid (3 inch or so) and a 9 inch common pleco. I added the pleco and Texas 2 weeks ago assuming that if the wolf fish was in the tank before hand it would get pissed at newcomers and snack on the Texas.

But my plan back fired! The damn Texas is in the wolf fishs face constantly wanting to fight.

For the record this truly is the wolf fishs tank so if the Texas dies or has to go so be it. Ideally I wanted them both.

I just never seen the wolf fish shake before. I couldn't tell if it was stressed or about to attack. It shook it's head side to side violently.

Anyone ever see this behavior before?

 

[kno4te]

This happens when mixing wolves and cichlids. Conflict will cont. Shoukd separate the fish.

 

[Irecruitfish]

This happens when mixing wolves and cichlids. Conflict will cont. Shoukd separate the fish.

Thx for confirming. I may post a new question but would you happen to know of any tank mates for the wolf fish? Ive read they are best kept alone. I'll assuming the pleco will be no issue.

 

[kno4te]

You can have other tankmates. Like pbass, larger catfish, datnoids, and polypterus.

When it’s one cichlid and one wolf....then it’ll be problems. Even mixed groups of cichlids will be an issue due to territorial needs.

 

[Irecruitfish]

You can have other tankmates. Like pbass, larger catfish, datnoids, and polypterus.

When it’s one cichlid and one wolf....then it’ll be problems. Even mixed groups of cichlids will be an issue due to territorial needs.

Ok thanks I'll look into some bichirs. Appreciate it.

 

[moe214]

The wolf shaking its head is one of its way of warning before attacking. The cohab can work but you will need more fish to be quite honest otherwise they will focus down each other. if the texas cichlid is trying to establish dominance, once it gets a nip from the wolf you will likely find peace. I'd wait and let them settle. Most of my wolves were with cichlids and I can't think of a time i had to separate anyone. Just let them establish themselves. Highly doubt the cichlid will really harm that wolf with the sizes they are. Unless you got a wolf that has no fight in him.

If you want to go the route of different tank mates, you want to be careful with fish that don't offer protection such as cats. You can very well keep many with a wolf but if they are aggressive and challenge the wolf more than a few times, you may want to separate or ultimately the cat is likely to die, whether the wolf outright kills it. I've had my curu give a similar sized scaled fish a bite to the head, lower jaw extended to the gills as well, fish turned upside down immediately and was bleeding, fish swam its face right into his mouth, not much sense a larger bala shark to be exact, with cichlids liking to fight face to face and lip lock, this won't go well with a wolf. i know I may be contradicting myself, but it shows it literally comes down to the specimens.

So you want tough (speed also helps, but if a wolf wants something it will catch it) fish that won't start anything but won't back down either. Or if you get your wolf off of live completely, you can have fish that won't be viewed as a threat. I'd say the best tank mate i've found was an odoe. SD got bit in half. brycon are often recommended though I never kept one. Ive geared away from cichlids, only two I like are jags and argentea now. I mostly keep cats and other characins.

 

[smitty03281964]

I did it years ago and a buddy of mine did it. The result over the long term were not good.

 

[Irecruitfish]

The wolf shaking its head is one of its way of warning before attacking. The cohab can work but you will need more fish to be quite honest otherwise they will focus down each other. if the texas cichlid is trying to establish dominance, once it gets a nip from the wolf you will likely find peace. I'd wait and let them settle. Most of my wolves were with cichlids and I can't think of a time i had to separate anyone. Just let them establish themselves. Highly doubt the cichlid will really harm that wolf with the sizes they are. Unless you got a wolf that has no fight in him.

If you want to go the route of different tank mates, you want to be careful with fish that don't offer protection such as cats. You can very well keep many with a wolf but if they are aggressive and challenge the wolf more than a few times, you may want to separate or ultimately the cat is likely to die, whether the wolf outright kills it. I've had my curu give a similar sized scaled fish a bite to the head, lower jaw extended to the gills as well, fish turned upside down immediately and was bleeding, fish swam its face right into his mouth, not much sense a larger bala shark to be exact, with cichlids liking to fight face to face and lip lock, this won't go well with a wolf. i know I may be contradicting myself, but it shows it literally comes down to the specimens.

So you want tough (speed also helps, but if a wolf wants something it will catch it) fish that won't start anything but won't back down either. Or if you get your wolf off of live completely, you can have fish that won't be viewed as a threat. I'd say the best tank mate i've found was an odoe. SD got bit in half. brycon are often recommended though I never kept one. Ive geared away from cichlids, only two I like are jags and argentea now. I mostly keep cats and other characins.

Excellent advice and thanks for confirming the shaking behavior. I was worried about the fish but now looking back at it was pretty cool. I'll look into the other fish you mentioned. Thanks!

 

[OnceLoyal]

Late on the thread, but agreed to all above. I have seen it and yes shaking the head is him saying you don't want to fark with this.

 

[Irecruitfish]

Late on the thread, but agreed to all above. I have seen it and yes shaking the head is him saying you don't want to fark with this.

Yeah looks like the wolf fish is the boss but he's become less active. He used to swim around like crazy whenever it saw me. Yesterday I fed it krill and it took a huge bite as usual but then the Texas cichlid came and snatched it from it's mouth. I don't want to stress out my prized fish for the Texas so I'm consideri selling it or rehoming. I'll give it some time but I just noticed the Texas has been nipped on the behind.