WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Wolf-eel

Anarrhichthys ocellatus

Also known as: Doctorfish, Northern Wolffish, Ocellated Wolffish, Pacific Wolf-eel

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2021
Handle with careLook, don't touch
Adult
@IUSR · unknown, United States · August 20171 / 2
01

Overview

Found singly, or in pairs, sheltering in the same spot, amongst crevices, in the rocks, until a larger wolf-eel, or a large octopus drives them out! Over rocky areas of subtidal reefs.
Widespread North Pacific

Wolf-eels live in cold waters of the oceans, they differ from true eels because of their paired gill slits and pectoral fins.
These eels are gentle giants of the sea and are curious but rarely aggressive although if cornered they can inflict a painful bite!
They are known to pair for life.

02

How to identify

COLOURS

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Northwest Pacific, Northeast Pacific
  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found singly, or in pairs, sheltering in the same spot, amongst crevices, in the rocks, until a larger wolf-eel, or a large octopus drives them out!

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Adult photos 2

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderPerciformes
    5. familyAnarhichadidae
    6. genusAnarrhichthys
    7. speciesAnarrhichthys ocellatus Ayres, 1855

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Perciformes