TETRA – WOLF FISH
Hoplias malabaricus

The Wolf Fish, also known as the Tiger Fish or Common Trahira, are found throughout Central and South America. A nocturnal and crepuscular ambush predator, the Wolf fish spends the daylight hours resting on the bottom or hiding within vegetation. Extremely aggressive and solitary in nature, there are few (if any) compatible tank mates that will live alongside the Wolf fish. Temperament can vary on an individual level, however. An adult Wolf fish can reach a size of approximately 24″, requiring a very large aquarium and the aquarist’s dedication to match.

Care Level: Advanced

Temperament: Aggressive

Live Plant Safe: With Caution

General Description: The Wolf Fish, also known as the Tiger Fish or Common Trahira, are found throughout Central and South America. A nocturnal and crepuscular ambush predator, the Wolf fish spends the daylight hours resting on the bottom or hiding within vegetation. Extremely aggressive and solitary in nature, there are few (if any) compatible tank mates that will live alongside the Wolf fish. Temperament can vary on an individual level, however. An adult Wolf fish can reach a size of approximately 24″, requiring a very large aquarium and the aquarist’s dedication to match.

Diet Requirements: Wolf fish are piscivores in nature but they do not require live fish in the aquarium to thrive long term — in fact, most live fish are of little nutritional value. However, some recently imported individuals may need to be offered live food as a precursor to recognizing dead foods or frozen foods as being edible. Great care should be taken during this period of providing live fish because this can increase the risk of introducing disease into the aquarium. Once weaned off of live foods, a diet made up of various high quality proteins are ideal, mainly frozen chunks of shrimp, mussel, silverside fish, prawn, and other white fish. Options will vary depending on the size of your specimen. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish. Do not feed any form of mammalian/poultry meat (e.g., beef or chicken) as certain lipids in these cannot be metabolized by the Wolf fish and are not part of their natural diet. Given their sedentary nature, Wolf fish likely do not need to be fed daily.

Care Requirements: A minimum 90 gallon aquarium is ideal for a Wolf fish, given that they are relatively inactive. A tight fitting lid is also needed. Wolf fish should not be put into a biologically immature aquarium. Biweekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters favorable (Nitrates < 30 ppm). Equipping the aquarium with a canister filter, or a sump system, is also suggested to maintain a healthier environment for this species and combat the amount of waste it produces as it gains size. A Wolf fish will be relatively indifferent to decor, but some stacked rocks to create caves for younger specimens to hide, or driftwood, may add some pizzazz and the aquarium needs to be well oxygenated. Dimmer lighting is also preferred given that this species is predominately nocturnal. Given the predatory and ambush nature of Wolf fish, and the low success rate of other species coexisting with them in the home aquarium, we recommend the Wolf fish being kept as a species-only setup. Recommended water conditions, 72-82° F, KH 4-18, pH 6.0-7.5.

Purchase Size: Medium: 4-1/2″ to 5″; Large 5-1/2″ to 7″

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.

Dry goods orders are shipped via US Postal Service or UPS to the address provided at checkout based on the selection made in your website shopping cart. Product is carefully packed to help prevent any damage during shipping. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number, and delivery notification. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.

Perishable items (i.e. live plants, refrigerated/frozen foods) are shipped via US Postal Service 2-3 day to the address provided at checkout for a $25.00 flat rate charge. Items are packed with secure packing material and heat, cold, or Cryo packs as needed to maintain safe temperatures during transit. If one or more perishable items are in the shopping cart at checkout the $25.00 perishable shipping charge will automatically appear and need to be selected. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.

Livestock (i.e. fish, invertebrates, coral) are shipped via UPS Overnight to the address provided at checkout for a $55.00 flat rate charge. Livestock is packed in insulated styrofoam boxes with secure packing material and heat, cold, or Cryo packs as needed to maintain safe temperatures during transit. If one or more livestock items are in the shopping cart at checkout the $55.00 livestock shipping charge will automatically appear and need to be selected. Livestock is shipped Monday through Wednesday ONLY (no weekend delivery is available) weather permitting, and we reserve the right to delay shipping until conditions are appropriate for safe arrival. Once your order is placed we will contact you to arrange the best shipping date based on these criteria. Someone must be available to receive the livestock order on the first delivery attempt. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.

For mixed dry goods/perishable & livestock orders items will be shipped via their corresponding shipping methods outlined above. Dry goods will be shipped via US Postal Service or UPS based on your selection and checkout, while livestock will ship via UPS Overnight for a $55.00 flat rate charge. You will receive separate notifications and tracking numbers for the dry goods and livestock. Please note due to different carriers and shipping methods dry goods and livestock may arrive on different days.

Sold out