Wolf Fish, myths or truth?

[HarleyK]

I’ve had both, common (mala) and black wolves. The black is more active, and I’ve lost knife fish, African pike, and several others to the black even though they were almost the same length.
A 125 gal will be wonderful, I’ve had mine in a 75 and it felt crammed during feeding time. They rest most other times.
I’ve successfully cohabed them with much smaller fish, eg Endler, or red cherry shrimp.

 

[surfermike915]

Hey All,

So I've been debating setting up something in the neighborhood of 125 for one of the smaller species and was wondering what the practical experience with these are? Do they get along with other fish? Are they truly as aggressive as some claim? I have heard stories about them charging their keepers and drawing wounds. Was not sure what forum to place this under so figured I would post it here.

I have no idea why, but a fish with an attitude enough to charge you when working in the tank seems interesting...even if it would mean quite a bit of swearing should it get a solid hit in lol.

Ime yes the wolves can be aggressive. Hoplias sp. can all have a bit of personality. But not many fish in the hobby can even come close to the aimara. There are stories I have heard that sound fictional of these fishes’ aggression until u see it urself or you keep one like I have. I had mine in a tank and wouldn’t clean it with my bare hands. Usually used a scrubber and he bit that and sometimes when I’d have company over we would throw a net in there and he’d attack the net. Very aggressive. Even my big mala was dangerous when it came to cleaning tanks. Love the wolf family. Been trying to get more aimara

 

[Omrit]

The rainbow wolf(Erythrinus erythrinus) is my favorite, and also the most beautiful by a good margin. In a tank this size I imagine keeping it with tank mates wouldn't be a problem, and you definitely do not need to worry about it harming you like some of the other wolves.

For tank mates you need fish that will not harass it, but also fish that are not going to be stressed by it's aggressive eating habits. Medium sized schooling fish(silver dollar, some barb species ect), and some mellow cichlids(Fire mouth, rainbow cichlid ect) would be my picks. You really have a lot of options here for tank mates though.

If you get it small it will likely be shy at first, but will become more interactive as it grows.

 

[Marximus]

i had black, Mala, red, gold, aimara.. personally i will only own aimaras… the aggression is far superior than other wolves.. currently have 2.. one 10” and 5“

 

[bettapatua]

My gold wolf (now 11") is the real water puppy for me, always wiggling the tail asks for it favorite food carnistick and dried worm, wake up when i turn on the light and everytime i walk in front of the tank. Unfortunately, it's very rare here.

 

[Omrit]

I got a rainbow wolf for my 300gallon and it arrived under 3 inches long and pretty thin. It stayed in the floating plants at the surface and I rarely saw it. Honestly thought it had died when I didn't see it for a while. It re-appeared an inch longer and is now 6 inches. Pretty incredible growth rate, and I am not going wild on the feedings(even though I should be).

That aside I am really enjoying this one. So active despite how he started off, and he doesn't bother my other fish at all.

 

[tlindsey]

I got a rainbow wolf for my 300gallon and it arrived under 3 inches long and pretty thin. It stayed in the floating plants at the surface and I rarely saw it. Honestly thought it had died when I didn't see it for a while. It re-appeared an inch longer and is now 6 inches. Pretty incredible growth rate, and I am not going wild on the feedings(even though I should be).

That aside I am really enjoying this one. So active despite how he started off, and he doesn't bother my other fish at all.

That's great.