Black wolf fish help

[Quason778]

Okay, so mainly the black lateral line? Man, what do you guys recommend when buying mislabeled fish? Besides know what your buying!! Some of us only know enough to get ourselves in trouble. Like I knew the common would be way too big song got the "black". Now it's screwed up everything I'm so frustrated. I paid $50 bucks.

The blunt head shape of a black wolf fish is usually the most distinctive feature for me.

 

[reddead38]

But true blacks get bigger than commons.. And way thicker.

 

[moe214]

The largest black I've read about and seen was a 17" one, but people claim to have seen 30" ones, now if this true they get slightly bigger then the common, which in the wild get to 2' and there are documentaries on you tube with footage, the biggest common I've seen in aquaria was Liams 20" one. If you are looking for a smaller wolf, look into erythrinus species, if you can't keep a common or black, I wouldn't recommend a gold which though gets smaller staying more like 16" is much more active which means it requires the same size tank imo. What it lacks in size it makes up for in activity. There is erythrinus erythrinus, erythrinus sp peru (these are the two common ones), erythrinus sp kessleri, and ery. sp tahuayo that stay small and fairly active compared to commons, and blacks ime.

 

[Brock11]

The largest black I've read about and seen was a 17" one, but people claim to have seen 30" ones, now if this true they get slightly bigger then the common, which in the wild get to 2' and there are documentaries on you tube with footage, the biggest common I've seen in aquaria was Liams 20" one. If you are looking for a smaller wolf, look into erythrinus species, if you can't keep a common or black, I wouldn't recommend a gold which though gets smaller staying more like 16" is much more active which means it requires the same size tank imo. What it lacks in size it makes up for in activity. There is erythrinus erythrinus, erythrinus sp peru (these are the two common ones), erythrinus sp kessleri, and ery. sp tahuayo that stay small and fairly active compared to commons, and blacks ime.

I would like to keep whatever can live in a 75. I don't know how I could get any of the smaller ones. Could I keep mine in the 75 for life?

 

[Brock11]

I would like to keep whatever can live in a 75. I don't know how I could get any of the smaller ones. Could I keep mine in the 75 for life?

I've seen on tv when people are catching them well over 2 feet. Not sue which species tho. I thought common. Like on river monsters. 30 pounders.

 

[kno4te]

Only erythrinus grow 8-10 inches Maybe hoplias microlepis, I've read conflicting info and never seen a proven true one though.

Search Jeff rapps old thread and photos and there's a real deal one archived. That's a true microlepis.

 

[kno4te]

I would like to keep whatever can live in a 75. I don't know how I could get any of the smaller ones. Could I keep mine in the 75 for life?

You can get away with a standard 75g. Not sure if the mala will hit the true 20inch mark and u do have some time before that. Can upgrade down the road.

 

[kno4te]

I've seen on tv when people are catching them well over 2 feet. Not sue which species tho. I thought common. Like on river monsters. 30 pounders.

Those are probably Aimara.

 

[kno4te]

Smaller wolves like moe214 is a better choice for you and ur tank. Plus can add tankmates. Not many but can with a 75g. With a common ull be pushing ur limits.

 

[Brock11]

Smaller wolves like moe214 is a better choice for you and ur tank. Plus can add tankmates. Not many but can with a 75g. With a common ull be pushing ur limits.

If I were to upgrade how large would I need to go? I've been looking at 125g. Can a true wolf have any tank mates like the red tiger mang. Cichlid?