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Anarrhichthys ocellatus Ayres, 1855
Wolf Eel; Wolf-Eel
Family: Anarhichadidae
Introduction to the Fish

Photograph

© Derek Holzapfel     (Photo ID #54459)

Map

Source: Distribution of Anarrhichthys ocellatus as compiled by Aquamaps

Species Information

Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 200. Dorsal with 228-250 spines. Caudal small. Anal with up to 233 rays.

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850) .

Biology

Species Biology

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). demersal; marine; depth range 1 - 226 m (Ref. 2850) . Temperate climate.

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850) .

Distribution

Distribution

North Pacific: Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan to the Krenitzen Islands, in the Aleutian chain and Imperial Beach, southern California, USA.

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850) .

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeSNRNo StatusNAR (May 2003)



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

NatureServe Explorer
 University of Alaska Museum

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