Red Wolf Fish

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Widely distributed in South America (Amazon River, Orinoco). Prefers stagnant canals, asphyxial pools, agricultural ditches and swamps saturated with intricate roots in the absence or total lack of oxygen.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Red Wolf Fish (Erythrinus erythrinus). "Monumental" predatory characin for micro-aquariums. Formidable cylindrical body, abnormal mouth equipped with large canine-like teeth. The swim bladder acts as a supplementary respiratory organ.

Social Behavior: Nocturnal ambush predator severely territorial and aggressive towards its own kind (red wolves fight fiercely). Sedentary animal, never swims empty. Waits for hours camouflaged among the woods before grasping.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Perfect camouflage: broken dark gray-green tones, which in adulthood (or in perfect conditions) lead to bright fire red bellies and purplish/iridescent opercula. Males have much more extensive red coloration and a pointed dorsal fin.

Aquarium Setup: Strangely requires little space for its size (100 cm / 40 inches tank), due to its inactive lifestyle. Set up in swamp style: fine bottom, branches and trunks to create "tubes" and solid wood caves.

Diet and Feeding: Terminal carnivore (Piscivore / Insectivore). Wean him with thawed fish (smelt, silversides), large earthworms, prawns. As juveniles they accept insects (crickets). Tends to extreme obesity if overfed; a large meal every 3-4 days for adults is sufficient.

Water Quality: Among the most resistant fish on the globe to pollution and anoxia. Can literally jump between muddy pools to find better water. However, old water depresses it, while water changes make it hyper-vigilant and reactive.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Ideally to be kept SOLITARY as a "pet fish". Can cohabit with large Central/South American Cichlids or large Loricariidae in HUGE tanks (150+ cm / 60+ inches). Will attack any fish under 15 cm (6 inches), and will devastate quieter fish tearing off shreds of meat.

Aquarium Reproduction: Extremely rare. The male digs a nest in the sand in safety and obsessively protects the thousands of laid eggs in Cichlid style.

Risks and Diseases: Very high risk of ESCAPE. A Red Wolf can jump up to bang its head on the glass lid and shatter it. Mouth wounds "Banging" easily infect the teeth.