Rainbow Wolf Fish

Rainbow Wolf Fish: Brazilian, French Guiana, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela are home to the rainbow wolf fish (Erythrinus erythrinus), also known as the “High Fin Wolf Fish” or “Red Wolf Fish” to enthusiasts of tropical fish keeping.

In the very shallow waters of small river tributaries, swamps, the margins of forest lakes, marshes, pools, and ditches within their range, Rainbow Wolf Fish (Erythrinus erythrinus) are typically found among the surface vegetation.

Like “walking catfish,” the Rainbow Wolf Fish has a modified swim bladder that enables it to breathe air and survive in stagnant or oxygen-depleted waters. When their native waters begin to dry up, they have been known to travel short distances over land.

The mouth of Rainbow Wolf Fish is full of razor-sharp teeth, making them carnivorous predators.  They are fearless and will viciously strike at anything that gets into their tank.

II. You would love the fish because…

The color of Rainbow Wolf Fish varies by location. They typically have a body color ranging from light to dark brown and a long lateral line that extends from the eye to the caudal fin.

Their pelvic and ventral fins are translucent white to yellow, and their set back dorsal and caudal fins are brown with hints of yellow or reddish orange. A Peruvian variation of the Rainbow Wolf Fish has a brightly colored orange belly in contrast to the bone-to-white undersides of the majority.  Adult females are distinguished by having bellies that are slightly roundeder.

In Grench Guiana, a juvenile Rainbow Wolf Fish species has a color pattern that is similar to that of a female Rivulus Killifish species.   Wolf Fish quickly devour the male rivulus that are attracted to the imitating “female.” As the Erythrinus enters adulthood, the strategy comes to an end.

III. Is this fish species peaceful or hostile?

 A fast moving predatory fish

IV. Species compatibility

• Catfishes
• Cichlids
• Larger characins, such as Myleus and Leporinus.

V. How to feed this species?

To keep the fish from jumping free from the aquarium, cover it tightly at all times. Wolf fish need to eat meat. The majority will not accept pelleted foods, so a variety of fresh or frozen foods is suggested. The appropriate foods are earthworms, beefheart, fish flesh, shrimp, and other similar items.

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