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Perciformes/Zoarcoidei (Eelpouts and pricklebacks) >
Anarhichadidae (Wolffishes)
Etymology: Anarrhichthys: Greek, anarhichaomai = to climb up + Greek, ichthys = fish; ocellatus: ocellatus for the eye-like spots.
More on author: Ayres.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Οικολογία
Θαλασσινό(ά) βενθικό(ς); εύρος βάθους 1 - 226 m (Ref. 2850). Temperate; 80°N - 26°N, 117°E - 111°W (Ref. 57366)
North Pacific: Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan to the Krenitzen Islands, in the Aleutian chain and Imperial Beach, southern California, USA.
Μέγεθος / Βάρος / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 240 cm TL αρσενικό/απροσδιόριστο; (Ref. 4925); μεγ. δημοσιευμένο βάρος: 18.4 kg (Ref. 27436)
Short description
Κλείδες προσδιορισμού | Μορφολογία | Μορφομετρία
Εδρικές άκανθες: 0; Μαλακές εδρικές ακτίνες: 200. Dorsal with 228-250 spines. Caudal small. Anal with up to 233 rays.
Adults seek shelter among rocks in subtidal areas (Ref. 2850) and will occupy the same shelter until driven out by larger wolf-eels or a large octopus (Ref. 28499). Juveniles are pelagic for up to two years (Ref. 28499). Feed on hard-shelled invertebrates and fishes (Ref. 2850). Both male and female wrap their body around the egg mass to keep the eggs in place and to deter predators (Ref. 58332). Large specimens can inflict a painful bite (Ref. 28499). Its flesh is tasty (Ref. 28499).
When courting, the male wolf-eel butts his head against the female's abdomen, wraps around her, and fertilizes her eggs as she extrudes them. Eggs are laid and both male and female wrap themselves around the egg mass to protect it . Only one parent at a time leaves the eggs to feed. The female periodically rotates the eggs until they hatch. A male and female may pair for life (Ref. 28499).
Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H. Hammann, 1983. A field guide to Pacific coast fishes of North America. Boston (MA, USA): Houghton Mifflin Company. xii+336 p. (Ref. 2850)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-2)
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic (Ref. 2850)
Human uses
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