Wolf Eel

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Aggressive   • Maximum Size: 18"
• Minimum Tank Size: 90 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-80° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Diet: Carnivore   • Origin: West Indo-Pacific
• Family: Pseudochromidae, Congrogadinae   • Species: Pseudochromis   • Aquarium Type: Fish Only

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The Wolf Eel is a very unique and attractive species with the appearance of an eel and the head of a grouper. Native to the reefs of the West Indo-Pacific the Wolf Eel has been a marvel in the aquarium hobby for quite some time; they are commonly referred to as Blennies or eels, but are actually a species of Dottyback / Pseudochromis (of the sub-family, Congrogadinae) and related to groupers and sea bass.

They are extremely hardy (like most of their close relatives) and although many consider the Wolf Eel to be secretive; once acclimated to the aquarium they are bold and have been known to display great personalities. The coloration of the Wolf Eel depends on the area of collection and although they are commonly green, their coloration can vary to include variations of browns, reds, and yellows. Wolf Eels are a popular species and are often available locally, but more so through online retailers.

Wolf Eels require an aquarium of at least 90 gallons along with plenty of live rock for hiding and hunting (they love caves and crevices); they should also be provided with a fine, sandy substrate as they often rest on the bottom of the aquarium, laying in wait for prey to crawl or swim by. They are not generally known to be jumpers, but should be kept in an aquarium with a hood or tight-fitting lid to help prevent their escape. In addition to quality biological and mechanical filtration, an efficient protein skimmer is also recommended as Wolf Eels can be quite gluttonous when feeding and will have a large biological load on the system.

This species should not be kept with shrimp, small lobsters, crabs, or any fish that can fit in its large mouth as they will quickly become snacks (large hermit crabs and snails should be fine). Tank mates should be considered carefully and can generally be other large predatory species (i.e., Groupers, large Angels, Puffers, Boxfish, Scorpion fish, Lionfish, Butterflyfish, etc.). They will not harm corals in a reef environment, but are more suitable to FOWLR systems due to the fact that half of the cleaning crew may be added to the dinner menu.

Wolf Eels are predatory carnivores and generally prey upon fish, crabs, shrimp, and other crustaceans in the wild. In the aquarium they should be fed a variety of meaty foods such as live, frozen, freeze-dried, and vitamin enriched, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, ghost shrimp, krill, silver sides, chopped clams, crab meat, and other sea food. Feed 1 to 2 times per day.