Redtail wolf fish

Care at a glance

Overview

The redtail wolf fish is an aggressive South American predator for a large tank of its own. Its predatory nature and jumping ability call for a careful setup, so it is best with some experience.

Caring for the redtail wolf fish

Give a redtail wolf fish a tank of at least 66 gal (250 L). It is a bottom-oriented predator that lurks among cover and ambushes prey, so provide plenty of cover. It can jump, so fit a secure lid.

It is hardy and tolerant of poor water. Keep it at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.

Keep it on its own. It will eat tank mates small enough to swallow, and it can be rough with its own kind.

Good to know

The redtail wolf fish, Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus, belongs to the family Erythrinidae. It is a wolf fish relative, more slender than the common trahira. It is marked with a reddish tail and a dark shoulder spot.

In the wild

The redtail wolf fish is widespread across much of tropical South America, east of the Andes. It lives in slow and still waters, including swamps, ponds and quiet stream margins, often where oxygen runs low.

Common questions

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