Wolf fish, also known as wolffish or sea wolves, are fascinating marine creatures recognized by their distinctive appearance. Named for their prominent, often fearsome, fang-like teeth, they are adapted to life in deep, cold waters. These predatory fish play an important role in controlling populations of various bottom-dwelling invertebrates.
Distinctive Features
Wolf fish have powerful dentition, including four to six fang-like, conical teeth in both jaws, followed by multiple rows of crushing molars designed for breaking hard shells. The roof of their mouth and throat are also equipped with serrated teeth, aiding in their specialized diet. Their bodies are elongated and subcylindrical at the front, tapering towards a slender, eel-like tail.
Their skin is smooth and slippery, with rudimentary, almost hidden scales. Coloration varies among species, ranging from purplish-brown, dull olive green, and bluish-gray to dark brown or spotted patterns. A single, long dorsal fin extends along nearly the entire length of their back, while their pectoral fins are large and rounded, and pelvic fins are notably absent. To survive in near-freezing waters, wolf fish produce a natural antifreeze compound in their blood, preventing their bodily fluids from freezing.
Where Wolf Fish Live
Wolf fish inhabit the cold, deep waters of the Northern Hemisphere, primarily across the North Atlantic, Arctic, and North Pacific Oceans. They are bottom-dwelling fish, living on the hard ocean floor in complex environments. These habitats include rocky areas, boulder fields, and seafloors with nooks and small caves, offering them shelter and ambush points for prey. They typically reside at depths ranging from 20 to 500 meters (66 to 1,640 feet), though some species can be found as deep as 1,325 meters (4,347 feet).
Water temperatures in their preferred habitats range from -1 to 11°C (30 to 52°F). Several species exist with specific distributions:
- Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus): Found on both western and eastern coasts of the Atlantic, from the Canadian Arctic to the Bay of Biscay.
- Spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor): Spans the North Atlantic, from Scotland to Cape Breton.
- Northern wolffish (Anarhichas denticulatus): Occupies cold continental shelf waters from Norway to Newfoundland.
- Bering wolffish (Anarhichas orientalis): Found in the Sea of Okhotsk to the Bering Sea and parts of the Arctic Ocean, often in shallower, algae-covered rocky areas.
What They Eat
Wolf fish are specialized predators, primarily eating hard-shelled invertebrates found on the ocean floor. Their powerful jaws and robust teeth are perfectly adapted for crushing the protective casings of their prey. This diet includes crustaceans like crabs and lobsters, and mollusks such as clams, scallops, and snails.
Echinoderms, including sea urchins, starfish, and brittle stars, are also a significant part of their diet. Wolf fish are opportunistic bottom feeders, often waiting for prey to come within reach. While their diet mainly focuses on hard-shelled organisms, they also consume other fish species and will eat eggs and larvae from fish that nest on the seabed.
Wolf Fish and Humans
Wolf fish interact with humans primarily through commercial fishing activities, valued for their meat. In some regions, their flesh is esteemed for its firm texture and mild flavor, sometimes marketed as “Scotch halibut” or “Scarborough woof.” For example, in Iceland and Norway, the Atlantic wolffish is known as “steinbítur,” meaning “stone biter,” referencing its strong jaws and diet.
However, wolf fish populations have declined due to overfishing and incidental capture as bycatch in fisheries targeting other species. Their sedentary nature and reliance on specific rocky habitats make them vulnerable to destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling, which damages seafloor environments. In the United States, the Atlantic wolffish is designated a “Species of Concern” due to diminishing numbers. Despite their formidable appearance, wolf fish are not aggressive towards humans and tend to avoid contact. They may bite if provoked or handled improperly, but serious injuries are rare, and their bite is not venomous.