The wolf-eel

wolf-eel

Scientific name	Anarrhichthys ocellatus
Descriptor	Ayres
Year of description	1855
IUCN category (World)	LC
Family	Anarhichadidae
Genus	Anarrhichthys

Introduction

Anarrhichthys ocellatus, commonly known as wolf-eel, is a salt water fish.

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Who is it?

Morphology

Average size

200 cm
Maximum size

240 cm
Mimicry

rocky bottoms
Pattern

ponctuations

Average size

200 cm
Maximum size

240 cm
Mimicry

rocky bottoms
Pattern

ponctuations

How to recognize the wolf-eel ?

The wolf-eel measures between 200 and 240 cm. This fish is bicolore with a predominantly noir, violet and gris body. The also has noir ponctuations.

Behaviour & Life cycle

diet

carnivorous
Sociability

solitary
territorial

Yes
Way of living

nocturnal

The wolf-eel hunts in the stalk and is one of the predators of its biotope. Opportunistic, it does not hesitate to attack any smaller animal nearby.

The wolf-eel is a fish solitary naturally found on the bottom. This species is carnivorous . This fish lives mainly at night. Usually, it leaves its hiding place and starts to be active once it gets dark.

The wolf-eel is a territorial animal that does not tolerate any incursions into its living area. It is particularly virulent against other territorial species and it can provoke heated fights. Relationships between conspecifics are also hectic, with each seeking to secure its place.

Reproduction

Reproduction

ovipare qui pond sur substrat découvert

The wolf-eel is a fish ovipare qui pond sur substrat découvert.

Risks for humans

Venomous

No
Bite

Yes

This species can attack if it feels threatened. It is important to be particularly vigilant especially during dives or fishing sessions.

Where to find it?

Origin

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

Temperature

2 - 11 °C
Depth

1 - 225 m

Biotope presentation

The wolf-eel is most often found at a depth between 1m and 225m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

Species of the same biotope

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Benoit Chartrer

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

Bibliographic references

FIRST RECORD OF THE WOLF-EEL, ANARRHICHTHYS OCELLATUS (PISCES: ANARHICHADIDAE), FROM BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO - RICHARD F. FEENEY - ROBERT N. LEA - California Fish and Game - 2007.

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial genome for the Wolf-eel, Anarrhichthys ocellatus (Anarhichadidae: Perciformes) - Gang Lu - Jiangbo Qu - Li Bian - Qing Chang - Jianlong Ge - Changlin Liu - Shengnong Zhang - Siqing Chen - Fenghui Li - Xiangtang Chen - Mitochondrial DNA - 2019.