A Wolf Fish - Anarhichas lupus - hiding in the rocks

The Seawolf (Anarhichas lupus), also known as the Atlantic wolffish, Atlantic catfish, wolf eel, or sea cat, is a marine fish, the largest of the family Anarhichadidae. In spite of its large size (the largest specimen caught being 150 cm long and weighing almost 24 kg), it has retained the bodily form and general external characteristics of the small blennies. Its body is long, subcylindrical in front, compressed in the caudal portion, smooth and slippery, the rudimentary scales being embedded and almost hidden in the skin. An even dorsal fin extends the whole length of the back, and a similar fin from the vent to the caudal fin, as in blennies. The pectorals are large and rounded, the pelvic fins entirely absent.


Image ID: sanc1005, Sanctuary Collection
Location: Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Photographer: Norm Despres


Photo Source:
The NOAA Photo Library - http://www.photolib.noaa.gov
The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Adminstration (NOAA) - http://www.noaa.gov/
Copyright Information - http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/aboutimages.html