Black Wolf Fish Hoplias Curupira 8cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Black Wolf Fish is a stocky, dark chocolate to jet-black wolf fish with a blunt, bulldog-like head and a mouth bristling with teeth. It spends most of its time lying in wait among cover and is often found in pairs in the wild. From the Amazon, upper Orinoco and Guianas, it is a manageable-sized predator for experienced keepers.
- Adult Size: Around 30 cm (12 in)
- Lifespan: 10–15 years
Origin
- Native to: Amazon basin, upper Orinoco, Guyana and Suriname
- Habitat: Large rivers and forest creeks with wood and leaf litter
Feeding
- Diet: Carnivorous with some omnivorous habits
- Preferred Foods: Prawns, earthworms, whole fish, mussel, insects, carnivore pellets
- Feeding Habits: Feed two or three times a week; readily takes dead food
Tank Mates
- Best with: Best alone; possibly a bonded pair in a large tank
- Avoid: Anything smaller than half its length; other wolf fish
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Aggressive ambush predator
- Territoriality: Strongly territorial; will attack intruders
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Challenges: Sharp teeth, jumper, needs stable clean water and dim lighting
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft and slightly acidic
- Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
- pH: 6.0–7.5
- Hardness: 5–12 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 450 litres for a single adult
Final Notes
Fit a heavy, tight-fitting lid because wolf fish are powerful jumpers, and keep fingers clear at feeding time. It is active by day and night but colours up best under dim light with driftwood caves, leaf litter and a sand base. Good filtration and regular water changes are needed as it feeds messily. Compared with its giant relatives it stays a practical size, making it the most sensible wolf fish for home aquaria.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.