Fun Red Wolf Fish Facts For Kids

Erythrinus Erythrinus, the red wolf fish, is a popular species of small fish pet fish native to Peru and found in different parts of the world. They are solitary fish and love living independently in tanks.

Although they are cute and small in size beware of these tiny predators also known by the name wolves of the water body who are aggressive specimens.

Although they are aggressive if taken care of properly they can be excellent pets for both apartments as well as bigger homes. Their diet is primarily carnivorous hence it's ideal to provide them with a protein-rich diet.

Larger specimens of this kind are more prone to attack than smaller ones in terms of their age. They are known to attack other tankmates hence it's essential to ensure they are kept around compatible mates. Red wolf fish is primarily carnivorous and snaps at food whenever they see it.

Read on to find out more about these species. For more relatable content, check out bonito-fish facts and rainbow-trout facts as well.

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Red Wolf Fish Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Red wolf fish?

Erythrinus Erythrinus, the red wolf fish, is a type of fish that belongs to the order Characiformes.  

What class of animal does a Red wolf fish belong to?

The red wolf fish belongs to class Actinopterygii, family erythrina, and genus Erythrinus.

How many Red wolf fish are there in the world?

The red wolf fish's exact population size is not known, however, there are currently five documented species of wolffish divided into two genera.

Where does a Red wolf fish live?

Larger species of the wolffish family might live in the oceans. The red wolf fish may live in lakes and ponds. They are also seen in aquariums and popular fish pet species and need feeding at regular intervals. They are seen in regions including South America as well as Central America.

What is a Red wolf fish's habitat?

The red wolf's fish habitat constitutes lakes, ponds, and places near marshes, tributaries, and puddles. These fish may also be found in shallow waters lurking among vegetation.

Who do Red wolf fish live with?

Erythrinus Erythrinus actually prefer living alone however, they can live around other tankmates like catfish, pleco, or cichlids. Red wolf fish are a popular species of pet animals and easily adapt to different environments.

How long does a Red wolf fish live?

Redfin wolf fish live five to six years and have been recorded to live up to 14 years in captivity. Red wolf fish's growth rate is relatively fast as compared to other species.

How do they reproduce?

Not much is known about the reproductive behavior of these fish species. Erythrinus Erythrinus are usually bought in pets stores and they are not bred as such. Most species of fish, however, lay eggs.

What is their conservation status?

Erythrinus Erythrinus, Red wolf fish conservation status is Not Evaluated by the International Union For Conservation Of Nature (IUCN).

Red Wolf Fish Fun Facts

What do Red wolf fish look like?

Red wolf fish, Erythrinus Erythrinus, are small fish that are aggressive little creatures. Their color varies greatly and is mostly has an orangish-red tinge hence the name. They have multiple fins helping them move faster.

They are known to jump and move in a zigzag movement. The wolffish with red eyes is spherical and has sharp teeth which they use to feed on prey. They are alert predators and consume a carnivorous diet.

How cute are they?

They are extremely cute and small in size however, don't let their small appearance deceive you they don't like being petted and are also known to bite with their sharp teeth when kept as a pet.

How do they communicate?

Erythrinus Erythrinus communicate not just to their own kind, but also to their tankmates like the catfish, pleco, or cichlids. Erythrinus Erythrinus are shy beings and try to hide in a refuge or cover if people see them when kept as a pet.

How big is a Red wolf fish?

Freshwater red wolf fish are is 20 times bigger than the world's tiniest and smallest fish in the world, Paedocypris, which is 10.3 mm in size.  They are around 7.5 in (20cm) long.

How fast can a Red wolf fish swim?

Wolffish do have the ability to swim fast and have a high tendency to jump even if they spot any small crevices or holes hence it's essential to cover the top lid of the aquarium. In their natural habitat too these species reside near shallow regions and are known to jump out when kept as pets.

How much does a Red wolf fish weigh?

The exact weight of these species is not recorded but they are small fish and don't weigh a lot as compared to other large species of their own family.

What are the male and female names of the species?

There are no sex-specific names for the red wolf fish.

What would you call a baby Red wolf fish?

A baby red wolf fish is referred to as fry.

What do they eat?

heir diet constitutes of insects including blood worms, krill, shrimp, and pellets. They often refuse dry food as part of their diet.

Are they dangerous?

Red wolf fish do have sharp teeth and it's best not to put your finger into the tank while handling them since they are likely to get aggressive. Using proper equipment to guide you while handling an aquarium is essential to invest in while keeping them as pets to avoid any aggressive attacks from them.

Would they make a good pet?

Yes, wolffish are an amazing pet and can be kept alone. They are available online as well as in pet stores. It's best to buy fish pets physically in person than online.

They cost between $44.99 -$64.99. These fish have a tendency to often jump out even if there is a small hole on top of the aquarium hence it's best to seal the top if any cracks or holes are seen. You could even keep a stopper or lightweight substance to keep the lid from moving around.

Did you know...

The smallest species of wolffish is Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus and measures 8 in (20cm) and the largest species of the family is the Atlantic wolfish, one of which measured 1.5m (5ft). Such small fish species are rarely found.  

There are various rhymes on fish in various languages a popular one in South America as well as other parts and is the 'Five Little Fish' which is a nursery rhyme for kids and another popular nursery rhyme in Hindi is titled 'Machli Jal Ki Rani Hai' highlighting the importance of water for fish.

Do you remember any other nursery rhymes related to fish?

Share your experience of learning rhymes with your friends and family.

How did the Red Wolf Fish get its name?

Wolffish is a real species of fish and is also known by the name wolves of the water body. They are a direct reference to their name.

They are orangeish in color however, their color may vary greatly hence they are called red wolf fish. They sometimes have the same expression and it's difficult to identify their facial expressions unless one is a professional in the field.

Fish do have expressions and also are able to identify their owner over a period of time if they are around. Isn't that cool?

What's unique about the Red Wolf Fish?

The red wolf fish is a one-of-a-kind fish. Other species of the same family are distinct in their appearance, shape, and size.

Some other similar species include red tail wolf fish, red-spotted wolfish, black red wolf fish, ethyrus red wolf fish, and armored catfish.

Although other species of the same family are large in size these species are no less in their predatory behavior and are likely to bite if you try to touch or show them your finger.

If you too are considering buying a fish pet or already have one this Peru species is definitely worth considering or you could also consult a professional to guide you among different species of pet fish.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other fish including blue-catfish facts or Arctic-char-facts.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable red wolf fish coloring pages.