GF put this in my tank... what is it?

[Heinzanova]

What is it? I love how she doesnt listen to me
and wait to read up on what a fish is before buying it and stocking it in our tank. I think this monster has ate my all black balloon belly molly and two little tiger barbs... Any input as per what this is? I really don't know what else in my tank could have ate them... and this is the only new addition...

 

[Heinzanova]

oh I don't know if this helps, but it is usually hiding behind driftwood, or trying to cover itself in gravel... so this is really the best picture I have gotten of the terror...

 

[cuticom]

Could you describe it? From that angle it looks sort of like a pleco....

 

[Heinzanova]

right now it is probably 5" long, a fat thick body, doesnt have that tear drop shape of a pleco, it also has a big mouth, shaped similar to that of a catfish. That pattern of color blotting is all over it's body, it's front fins seem to reside at a most parcular angle. there are more pictures (pretty much the same angle though)
in www.ifoobar.net/fish/

 

[cuticom]

LOL I ahve no idea, can you ask if wherever she got it from had labelled it?

 

[Heinzanova]

I know where she got it, it basically came out of a tank... store is a hole in the wall.. they have no clue... they go through so many fish they can't remember day to day...

I am going to have to powder my hand and smack her for this one...

 

[Gangstafish]

looks like maybe wolf fish.

 

[cuticom]

Heres a link for wolf fish if it helps, your pics and the wolf fish pics look equally weird but 50cm long eek LOL
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/tigrfish.htm

 

[Heinzanova]

this picture of a wolf fish does look more like it
http://www.cichlidcityaquariums.ca/images/cichlid/wolf_fish_08_12_02.jpg

but still the nose/front/jaw area is more rounded on this fish I have.

The coloration of the skin pattern (check out that folder with other pictures) and the fact it has colored eyes make it not really match that fish that well.

Or at least the pattern and that jaw line.

 

[Heinzanova]

Taken from web site
"Name: Wolf Fish (Hoplias Malabaricus) Size: 8 - 12" Comments: Wolf fish are Amazonian bottom feeders that resemble eels and they have jaws that are shaped like a vice-grip. They lie motionless on the bottom or partially bury in the substrate then grab any unsuspecting prey in their big jaws, then swallowing them whole. This aggressive monster is a great addition to an exotic Amazonian aquarium display. Rarely seen for sale in pet stores. Price: $129.95 ea (8"), $149.95 (12")"

If that is the case she said it was $10... it was a **** bargen then... but I doubt it. Although it's behavior does sound like this fish's behavior.

Any other ideas guys? I would like to match that pattern on it more.. I am still not certain on this.