How big do wolf cichlids get?

The dovii fish, also known as the wolf cichlid, is a popular but tough-to-handle freshwater aquarium fish. Because it grows very rapidly and can acquire a length of nearly two-and-a-half feet, an adult dovii needs massive fish tank. Despite claims made in pet stores, no fish will grow to fit its tank. A dovii will either acquire its large adult size or will die prematurely from improper care.

Here are some common dovii sizes as they relate to the species' life cycle.

One to Three Inches

Dovii fry are tiny when they first hatch, but, within just a few short weeks, they will reach a length of one to three inches. They begin showing aggression at this stage, with the larger fry eating smaller fry. They need to be separated from one another even at this young age to prevent fish loss due to sibling aggression. When a dovii is three inches long, it may be sold to a pet store or hobbyist, but it is still only a baby.

Four to Seven Inches

Dovii fry reach four to seven inches in size at around the same time that they begin puberty. During this phase the dovii fish becomes capable of reproducing, and females develop a yellowish hue rounded fins. Males grow long, pointed fins and dot-markings on their heads. At this size, dovii are often sold to hobbyists because they are beautiful but still a relatively manageable size.

Eight to Twelve Inches

By the time a dovii fish reaches a year in age, it's likely to be nearly a foot long. By this age, the animal is very aggressive and will usually tolerate no tankmates. They are mature adults capable of breeding prolifically under the right circumstances. Keep a foot-long dovii in nothing less than 150 gallons of water. Its continued life depends entirely on good water conditions, good diet and adequate space.

Thirteen to Twenty-Eight Inches

This is the point at which your dovii fish has gone from "pretty cichlid" to "monster". Although beautiful and rewarding, a dovii who is more than a foot in length needs tons of food and space. Within a few years, it can easily exceed two feet or more. Some have growth to almost three feet total. Your aquarium should be at least nine feet wide and twelve feet long, with no other living inhabitants, to accommodate your fish at this age. His growth will slow down, but never stop, until he at 5-20 years of age.