Anarhichas lupus Linnaeus, 1758
Wolf-fish
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The wolf-fish is a north Atlantic species that is found offshore in waters from 100 to 500 m, more commonly between 100 and 150 m. In the study area they are distributed from Spitzbergen and the White Sea south to the British Isles and across to Iceland. Eggs are deposited in spherical clumps at 10-120 m in July to February, with the larvae hatching from January to July (Whitehead et al., 1986b).
Anarhichas lupus is yellowish or bluish-grey in colour, with 9-13 darker cross bars extending to the base of the caudal fin. They are elongate, reaching over one metre and the head is large. The snout is rounded and the characteristic jaws have large canine-like teeth in front (Whitehead et al., 1986b).
During the present survey, wolf-fish were recorded amongst the coral of the Sula Reef and the Kosterfjord reefs. They showed mixed reactions to the presence of the camera.
Wolf-fish appear to be of commercial importance in the study area.
There is more information available for this species in FishBase.
Prepared by: Ecological Consultancy Services Ltd www.ecoserve.ie