Wolf fish
Hoplias malabaricus
- Adult size
- 35 cm14 in
- Start with
- 1
- Tank length
- 180 cmabout 6 ft (71 in)
- Lifespan
- 10–15 yrs
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C68–79 °F
- pH
- 6.5–8
- Hardness
- 4–25 dGH
- Diet
- carnivore
An aggressive ambush predator that attacks fish of its own size; best kept alone with a secure lid.An aggressive ambush predator that attacks fish of its own size; best kept alone with a secure lid.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- African butterfly cichlid
Wolf fish may eat African butterfly cichlidWolf fish may eat African butterfly cichlid
- African clawed frog
Wolf fish may eat African clawed frogWolf fish may eat African clawed frog
- Agassiz's cory
Wolf fish may eat Agassiz's coryWolf fish may eat Agassiz's cory
- Ajamaru rainbowfish
Wolf fish may eat Ajamaru rainbowfishWolf fish may eat Ajamaru rainbowfish
Amano shrimpWolf fish may eat Amano shrimpWolf fish may eat Amano shrimp
- American flagfish
Wolf fish may eat American flagfishWolf fish may eat American flagfish
- Angfa rainbowfish
Wolf fish may eat Angfa rainbowfishWolf fish may eat Angfa rainbowfish
- Arfak rainbowfish
Wolf fish may eat Arfak rainbowfishWolf fish may eat Arfak rainbowfish
Assassin snailWolf fish may eat Assassin snailWolf fish may eat Assassin snail
- Banded gourami
Wolf fish may eat Banded gouramiWolf fish may eat Banded gourami
- Bandit cory
Wolf fish may eat Bandit coryWolf fish may eat Bandit cory
- Batanta rainbowfish
Wolf fish may eat Batanta rainbowfishWolf fish may eat Batanta rainbowfish
Sources
| temperature | 20–26 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium |
|---|---|---|
| ph | 6.5–8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium |
| gh | 4–25 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium |
| origin | Widespread in South America | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| notes | An aggressive ambush predator that attacks fish of its own size; best kept alone | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| beginner friendly | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| care level | advanced | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| color palette | #6A5A42, #3A3226 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| activity | sedentary | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| swim zone | bottom | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| temperament | predatory | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| fin nipper | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| long finned | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| territorial | true | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| schooling | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| schooling min | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| diet | carnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| lifespan years | 10–15 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| growth to adult months | 24 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| length weight | {"a":0.012,"b":3} | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| planted safe | true | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| min tank length | 180 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| body shape | shark | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |