Wolf fish

Hoplias malabaricus

Also known as Trahira, Tiger wolf fish, Common wolf fish, Guabina

FreshwaterFish

Wolf fish (Hoplias malabaricus) — J. F. Hennig · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 5.5–7.5
Adult size: 19.7 in (50 cm)
Minimum tank: 106 gal (400 L)
Temperament: Aggressive
Social behavior: Solitary
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Ranges widely across South America in rivers and still waters from the Guianas through the Amazon and Parana basins.
Family: Erythrinidae

Overview

A wolf fish must be kept on its own, because it will kill and eat anything it can fit in its mouth and does not tolerate its own kind. House a single fish in a long tank of at least 400 liters with a heavy lid, since they are strong and can thrash. Treat it with respect during maintenance, as a large trahira has a serious bite and will use it.

In the wild

Lives on the bottom of slow rivers, ponds, and swamps, often in still or stagnant water with plenty of cover. It lies motionless among leaf litter and wood, waiting to ambush fish and other prey. It copes with low oxygen far better than most fish.

Good to know

Hoplias malabaricus is a heavily built ambush predator with a broad, bony head and rows of sharp teeth. What passes for this one species is actually a complex of several very similar fish across its huge range. Adults commonly reach 30 to 50 cm.