Red wolf fish
Erythrinus erythrinus
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 7.9 in
- 20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 gal
- 150 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Own kind
- One per tank
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Erythrinidae
- Origin
- South America
Overview
The red wolf fish is a solitary ambush predator from South America, kept one to a tank. It is easy to care for.
Did you know
The red wolf fish can gulp air at the surface. A modified swim bladder absorbs the oxygen and works a bit like a lung. That lets it ride out low-oxygen, stagnant water, and even survive a short time out of water when pools dry up.
Caring for the red wolf fish
Give a red wolf fish a tank of at least 40 gal (150 L), with a soft substrate and plenty of cover. It sits near the bottom, tucked into cover, and strikes passing prey with a quick lunge. Fit a firm, escape-proof lid, since these fish push at the surface.
Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed meaty foods such as fish pieces, earthworms and shrimp rather than flake.
Keep a red wolf fish alone. It is solitary, fights other wolf fish and attacks anything it can swallow. There is no recorded captive breeding.
Good to know
The red wolf fish is a predatory member of the family Erythrinidae, with a thick cylindrical body and strong jaws. It hunts smaller fish, insects and crustaceans on its own. Current assessments treat the wild population as stable.
In the wild
Red wolf fish live in slow or still waters across South America, including parts of the Amazon and Orinoco systems. They are often found in shallow streams, ponds and flooded forest, where dense plants and submerged roots give them places to hide and ambush.
Common questions
What size tank does a red wolf fish need?
A red wolf fish needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a red wolf fish need?
A red wolf fish is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a red wolf fish eat?
A red wolf fish eats meaty foods such as fish pieces, earthworms and shrimp, rather than flake.
How big does a red wolf fish get?
An adult red wolf fish reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).
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