Our knowledgeable staff usually responds to any question within 24 hours, Blue Eyed Cichlid - Archocentrus spilurum. The wolf cichlid is a large highly predatory cichlid species that requires very large aquariums. They might also in rare instances be referred to as leopard cichlids, a name which is derived from the German name for this fish Leoparden buntbarsch. Wolf cichlids are easy to care for if you have a suitable aquarium since they are very hardy. They can coexist with some other large aggressive fish species like Arapaima, Arowana, large catfish, Pacu or other similar fish species. You should ideally feed your wolf cichlid a varied diet consisting of pellets, shrimps, beef heart and other meaty food. Feed a large staple pellet or stick food as their main diet, while supplementing with crickets, worms, prawns or other similar items in order to vary their diet from time to time. That the wolf cichlid can tolerate such extreme does however not mean that you should subject them to it. They prefer a pH of 7 and a temperature of 22 - 27°C / 72 - 81°F. Lets say you have, or want to buy, a 55-gallon aquarium. Wolf cichlid indigenous to Central America was described in 1864 by Gunther. They will readily accept a wide variety of commercial foods designed for large freshwater carnivores. They fish is usually quite easy to sex as the males have loner more pointy fins and small dots on their heads. The fish is an avid digger and plants are therefore out of the questions. Register for free and ask your question in our Aquarium forum ! Wolf Cichlids require due to their size and aggressive temperament very large aquariums, especially if you want to keep more than one specimen which is recommend to allow the wolf cichlids to display the entire repertoire of their behaviour. There are numerous ways you can provide them with diversions. This is not necessary for the fish survival but will give you a happier more healthy fish. One spawning can result in more than 1500 eggs which hatch after approximately 5 days and are free swimming a few days later. Their diet in the wild consists of smaller fish, earthworms, insects, small invertebrates and crustaceans. As an example of their hardiness can be said that they in wild are found in waters with the temperature of 21 – 37°C / 70 - 99°F. Hobbyists should use plenty of caution when dealing with an adult male Dovii protecting their young as they will become extremely aggressive and can inflict real damage with their sharp teeth and strong bite. The primary aquarium criteria for the Wolf Cichlid is a very large tank. The Wolf Cichlid (Parachromis dovii) is both an attractive and menacing Cichlid specimen. Its habitat on the pacific side of Central American stretches from the Yeguare River in Honduras to the Bebedero River in Costa Rica. wolf cichlid information: Scientific name: Parachromis dovii Common name: Wolf cichlid Max. They stand unique because of their robust, sturdy, built, and attractive appearance. A breeding pair of Wolf Cichlids will need a dedicated aquarium with plenty of hard flat surfaces like flat rocks, flower pots or large plastic tubes. The wolf cichlid is usually easy to feed. Almost all wolf cichlids can however be trained to accepted pellets, beef heart and other more easily available foods.’. They usually lay their eggs on a flat surface but can sometimes choice a cave as their spawning place. From each of these “pearls” there run one or several grey bands to the top of the fish. They are mainly found in rivers but also thrive in lakes and other slower moving bodies of water. Dovii Cichlids are borderline hyper-aggressive in temperament and have the size and attitude to back up their aggression. Some specimens will however initially only accepted live food. This means that they only can be kept with other equally large and equally robust fish species. One such way is to give them a ping pong ball to play with. In general, the rule with cichlid tanks is the bigger the better. This will provide them a location to lay their eggs, which can number in the thousands. The lower half of the body is brighter than the darker higher part. Parachromis dovii, the guapote, rainbow bass, or wolf cichlid, is a species of cichlid native to Central America where it occurs on both slopes of Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.This species grows to a length of 72 cm (28.3 in) TL.This carnivorous species is important to local commercial fisheries and is sought after as a gamefish. A 150 gallon tank will hold Wolf cichlids that have just reached maturity, but for a fully grown specimen, expect to upgrade to an even larger tank. The name Dovii is very ironic on this fish as it means peace dove and this fish is anything but peaceful. Males of the species can grow upwards of 28 inches in length, with females attaining about 16 inches in length. This large size coupled with their ultra aggressive temperament make the Wolf Cichlid one of if not the most aggressive Cichlid available within the hobby. If you decided to place any fish in a tank with a wolf cichlid, be prepared to lose it. How to properly feed Wolf Cichlid and provide a healthy diet. A black stripe runs across the body from the back of the eye to the tailfin. As the Wolf cichlid likes to dig at the substrate, I would recommend sand on the bottom of the tank, adding plants will never work, and the fish will simply uproot them or destroy them. The most important consideration when choosing a tank is ensuring that it will be big enough for its inhabitants. Wolf Cichlids reach impressive sizes and exhibit interesting colors and pattern. Fully grown fish will however need considerable larger tanks and I recommend tanks that are at least 4 times wider than the fish is long. They usually reach maturity at about 5 inches / 12.5 cm. The wolf cichlid is found in Central America where it inhabits lakes and rivers in a large area stretching from the Aguan River in Honduras to the Moín River in Costa Rica on the Atlantic side of Central America. Monitor their overall growth rate and the girth of the fish to adjust feeding frequency and amounts accordingly. Any fish small enough to fit in the Wolf Cichlids mouth will be considered food and any similarly sized Cichlid or conspecific will be considered to be trespassing on their territory. Aquarium decor should be limited to rocks, driftwood, wood root and possibly an extremely hardy potted plant. Grilled wolf cichlid is very tasty if seasoned correctly and is recommended to anyone who has the privilege of travelling in Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. How to successfully keep Wolf Cichlid in the home aquarium. Dovii Cichlids are likely to dominate any tank they are housed in and there will be a select few fish that will be able to handle living in the same aquarium as a Wolf Cichlid. It can sometimes be difficult to get a single male and female to pair off in the first place. Such borders are created by dividing the bottom in segments by placing rocks and roots across the bottom. They are very aggressive and can only be kept with other large, robust aggressive fish species. This means that a good filtration and regular water changes are an absolute must. Place rocks directly on the bottom of the aquarium to prevent the wolf cichlids from causing it to fall over potentially damaging the aquarium by excavating under the rock. The Wolf Cichlid is a carnivorous species that feeds on a wide range of meaty foods. size: 72 cm / 28.5 inches pH range: 6.5 – 7.0 dH range: 20 Temperature range: 22 - 27°C / 72 - 81°F The wolf cichlid is a large highly predatory cichlid species that requires very large aquariums. Don’t get them unless you can house a fully grow 2ft + / 60 cm + long wolf cichlid. Common name: Wolf cichlid Wolf Cichlids are large powerful fish that will rearrange the aquarium decor to suit their taste. My Simple Cichlid Tank Size Formula. Live food will also make your wolf cichlids more predatory and aggressive than a diet of strictly pellets and dead food would. They are easy to care for if you have a large enough aquarium.