Wolf Cichlid Parachromis dovii

The Wolf Cichlid is well-named as it is an aggressive predator. Any smaller fish that will fit into its large mouth is perceived as prey. It is territorial and will not tolerate fish of similar size on its territory, including its own species (and especially other Parachromis such as the Jaguar Cichlid). Whoever gave it the scientific name of "dovii" had an ironic sense of humour.

It is also called the Rainbow Bass and is native to lakes and slow rivers of Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

A big cichlid, it can grow to 72cm long. Males tend to be more blue and females more yellow; older males can develop a hump head when breeding.

Some yellow females look like their relative, the Yellowjacket, Parachromis friedrichsthalii, also of Central America.

Both parents will aggressively defend their fertilised eggs and their young until the young can swim and feed themselves. Then the fry are at risk of becoming prey to their own parents.