Many fish are given the common name because of their tremendous resemblance to the species to which they are compared. For example, the parrotfish and the zebrafish have earned their names because they resemble the zebra and the parrot. Today we are going to talk about another fish whose common name has earned it because of its resemblance to the wolf. Yes, let's talk about the puffer fish.
The wolf fish It is also known as Atlantic catfish, ocean catfish, and devil fish.. Its scientific name is Anarchychas lupus and belongs to the anarichádidos family. Do you want to know everything about this fish?
Taxonomy and common names
Anarchychas lupus Belongs to Animalia Kingdom, Chordata Edge, Class Actinopterygii, Order Perciformes y Family Anarichadidae. Within the genre Anarhichas Other related species are recognized (such as A. denticulatus, A. minor y A. orientalis), all colloquially known as wolf fish, although here we focus on the Atlantic wolffish.
In addition to its more popular names, this fish may appear in literature and lists with other names: northern dog, wolf eel, sea cat o sea Wolf (not to be confused with the mammal), and even with historical synonyms in its taxonomy as Anarhichas strigosus, Anarhichas vomerinus o Anarhichas lupus marisalbi, terms used in older works or specific regions.
Wolffish characteristics
Fish belonging to this family have always been responsible for controlling the populations of green crab and sea urchinThis makes this species highly valuable, as it helps us control certain species that are more harmful to the habitat if left unattended. Furthermore, the wolffish acts as a indicator of the good condition of the seabed, since in highly degraded or contaminated areas their presence decreases significantly.
The wolffish has a robust and unique appearance that distinguishes it from the majority de peces temperate-cold coastal areas. Its teeth resemble those of a wolf: It has four to six prominent, conical, and powerful front teeth, the same in both jaws, followed by a central row with pairs of molars and outer rows with blunt, conical teeth. This combination, together with a bony plate on the palate, allows you to crush very hard shells.
In the lower part of the jaw, it also has two rows of molars and, behind them, conical teeth, while the throat is covered by small scattered teeth that help retain shell prey and prevent it from escaping.
As for his body, it is elongate and subcylindrical on the front, with a smooth and slippery texture. Its scales are rudimentary and embedded, remaining almost hidden in the skin, which gives it a rubbery feel. The dorsal fin is continuous and very long, extends almost the entire back, and the anal fin is also extensive. The pectoral fins are large and rounded, acting as "oars" to maneuver on rocky bottoms, while lacks pelvic fins, a very characteristic feature of the group.
Largest Wolffish on Record It exceeded 1,5 m in length and weighed around 18 kg.. The color varies between purple, brown, dull olive green and blue-gray, with possible bands or spots of low contrast, which gives it excellent camouflage among rocks, algae and mixed bottoms. Its body resembles that of an eel and, therefore, nothing slowly, relying on jaw strength and ambushes rather than swift pursuits.
Habitat
It is distributed on both sides of the North Atlantic and reaches the waters of the ArcticIn the northeast Atlantic it is common on the coasts of Scandinavia, Iceland and Greenland, as well as in the area of Barents Sea, Norwegian Sea and Baltic, occasionally reaching the north of the British Isles and can even go as far as the Cantabrian coasts and some areas of the north of the Iberian Peninsula. In the Northwest Atlantic, it occupies the arc that goes from the Canadian Arctic to Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Southern Labrador, arriving to cape cod and, rarely, it can be sighting in New JerseyIt is also found in the Davis Strait near the Canadian region of Nunavut.
Since they do not swim very fast, they are fish with habits stationaryThey usually stay close to their “homes” in cracks, caves and rocky crevices. They are found in the benthic zone (seabed) and are seen in small cavities and corners formed by natural rocks and reefs.
They live between 20 and 500 m deep., with a preference for rocky bottoms or mixed bottoms with pebbles, coarse sand and shells. They like waters cold, with temperatures that tend to fluctuate between -1 and 11 ºCTo withstand these conditions, your body produces antifreeze glycoproteins that prevent blood crystallization, a key adaptation for their survival at high latitudes.
This species is sensitive to sudden changes in habitat: where there is good condition of the fund (less suspended sediments, less pollution and preserved rock structure), it is usually more abundant; when the bottom is degraded by bottom trawl or pollution, its presence decreases.
Meals
The wolffish uses its powerful jaws to eat Molluscs (clams, cockles, large bivalves), crustaceans (crabs) and echinoderms (sea urchins). Its conical front teeth grip and break, while the lateral molars and the bony plate of the palate crush shells and carapaces. This way they access meat rich in protein and minerals.
It is rare for it to feed on other fish, and when it does, it is usually opportunistically. Its usual diet is focused on invertebrates with shells or carapaces, thanks to its highly specialized masticatory apparatus, capable even, according to observations, of bite through hard materials as softwood in marine structures.
It has great skills for hunting by ambush and great jaw strength; therefore, effectively controls populations of sea urchins and green crabsIn clear, well-oxygenated waters with complex benthic habitats, the abundance of this fish tends to increase, helping to maintain the balance of background communities and promoting kelp forests and seagrass meadows by reducing herbivory pressure from sea urchins.
Reproduction
The wolffish's method of fertilizing its eggs is different from that of other fish, such as the ocean sunfish. Instead of releasing eggs into the open ocean for external fertilization, fertilization is internal y the male remains in the nest protecting the clutch for a prolonged period, which usually includes Several monthsThis custody includes ventilation with fins to oxygenate the eggs and active defense against predators.
The eggs laid by the female have between 5,5 and 6 mm in diameter, among the largest known demersal marine fish. They are of dull yellow color and are placed in the Ocean bottom in shallow and sheltered areas, forming gelatinous clusters or masses They cling to rocks and algae. They can also be found stuck in loose clumps surrounded by algae and boulders.
To reproduce, wolffish need to reach the maturity after several yearsFrom that moment on they can form stable couples during the breeding season, showing marked loyalty to the nest and territory. When the young are large and strong enough to be independent, the male leaves the nest and juveniles begin their benthic life among crevices and algae.
This reproductive strategy of low fertility and high parental investment contrasts with that of many pelagic fish and explains their sensitivity to disturbances Habitat: Nest destruction by trawling gear or increased sedimentation can dramatically reduce the reproductive success of a local population.
State of conservation
Wolffish populations have declined locally in parts of the Atlantic due to the overfishing and by-catches (especially with bottom trawling). These arts, in addition to removing individuals, They destroy shelters and nests where this species shelters and reproduces, uprooting rocks, sponges, and structural algae. Recreational fishing, although less impactful than commercial fishing, also affects areas where the species is caught incidentally.
At the global assessment level, different institutions offer complementary approaches. IUCN has classified the Atlantic wolffish with Insufficient data (insufficient information to assess an accurate risk on a global scale), while in the northern western Atlantic, the NOAA has pointed it out as Species of Concern (a species of conservation concern) in some listings, due to a combination of fishing pressures and deterioration of benthic habitats. In areas where management has improved and they have established bottom closures, bycatch reduction devices and marine protected areas, signs of recovery are observed.
Beyond fishing pressure, factors such as warming of the waters and changes in the structure of benthic communities could alter their distribution and reproductive success. Given their ecological role and biology (relatively slow growth, late maturity, and parental care), it is advisable prioritize precautionary measures: improve gear selectivity, limit trawling in sensitive habitats, protect spawning areas and encourage responsible consumption where appropriate.
Due to its diet, the wolffish is a keystone predator in cold benthic communities. By reducing the densities of sea urchins and certain crabs, favors kelp forests and living substrates that provide refuge for a multitude of invertebrates and fish. Without this pressure, sea urchins can overgraze algae, impoverishing the underwater landscape and reducing biodiversity.
Although its appearance is imposing, its flesh is white, firm and tasty, increasingly appreciated in the regional cuisine of North Atlantic countries. Steaks, broths, and grilled dishes benefit from its compact texture. However, the increased culinary interest must be accompanied by sustainability criteria: Opting for certified catches, avoiding small specimens, and respecting closed seasons and minimum sizes are necessary measures to avoid increasing pressure on the species and its habitat.
As for its maintenance in a public aquarium, it is only viable in specialized facilities cold water, with large volumes, precise cooling, rocky bottoms and abundant shelters. In domestic aquariums it is not recommended due to its size, thermal requirements and diet specialized.
In marine science and outreach, the wolffish is frequently used as flagship species to explain the link between fishing gear, benthic habitat structure and functioning of temperate-cold ecosystems, as well as their fascinating adaptation through antifreeze proteins.
How to recognize it at a glance? Large head with prominent jaws and thick lips, conical front teeth very visible when opening the mouth, elongated body with large continuous dorsal fin, broad pectorals and a complete absence of pelvic fins. Brown, greenish, or blue-gray coloration, often with dull stripes on the flanks. It rests on the bottom and usually avoids swimming in the water column.
With all the above, the wolffish reveals itself as an unmistakable fish of the cold Atlantic: specialist in crushing shells, sentinel of the fund's status y key piece of benthic balancePreserving its habitats and fishing judiciously are the two most effective ways to ensure it continues to fulfill its ecological role while maintaining its cultural and culinary value in the regions where it is part of the seafaring tradition.