Wolffishes: Family Anarhichadidae

The Wolffishes

The family Anarhichadidae is known as the wolffishes.  They are perciform fishes that are native to the cold temperate waters of the northern Pacific and Atlantic waters.  Most species range from shallow waters on the continental shelf to about 600m deep on the continental slope.  They feed on crabs, clams, echinoderms and other crustaceans.  Wolffishes generally have very strong canine and molar teeth.

Some species, like the wolf eel, which can reach 2.4m in length, appear to be related to eels, but in fact, they are not eels at all.  

Classification

Genus Anarhichas

• Anarhichas denticulatus - Northern Wolffish
• Anarhichas lupus - Atlantic Wolffish
• Anarhichas minor - Spotted Wolffish
• Anarhichas orientalis - Bering Wolffish

Genus Anarrhichthys

• Anarrhichthys ocellatus - Wolf Eel