Anarrhichthys ocellatus Note: wolfeels are not actually true eels, they are fish belonging to the Anarhichadidae aka wolfish family.
Description: Long eel-like body – the dorsal fin runs almost the length of the body. It’s rounded fan-like pectoral fins are just behind the head which cup to the body when it swims much like an eel. The males have large bumpy triangular shaped heads, while the females tend to have smoother rounded heads. Both have sharp teeth with thick spike-like front teeth and flat, massive molars in the back. These critters truly look sea monsterish!
Photos © Nicolle Pratt, All Rights Reserved
Color: Juvenile wolfeels are reddish-orange with spots. The adult males are typically a lighter grey with a whiter head and the females a darker grey – the spots are retained.
Size: Up to 8 FEET!!!
Photos © Nicolle Pratt, All Rights Reserved
Habitat: Wolfeels tend to prefer rocky reefs or stony bottom shelves at shallow and moderate depths. They will usually stake out a territory in a crevice, den or lair in the rocks. Their long, slender, tapering bodies allow them to squeeze into their rocky homes.
Range: From Alaska south to San Diego, California.
Depth: Down to 600'+ (the Photic Zone).
Behavior: Wolf-eels spend the day quietly in dens, wriggling out at night to feed. They have extremely strong, crushing jaws. This impressive mouth is great for crushing their favorite food, hard-shelled animals such as, snails, clams, crabs, and sea urchins.
Interesting Fact: Males and females can live together in the same den for years. They apparently mate for life. The female lays a large egg mass, which may contain 10,000 eggs. They guard the eggs together, with only one of the happy couple leaving at a time to feed.
