Fauna
Fish

Atlantic Wolffish

Anarhichas lupus

Also known as Seawolf, Atlantic Catfish, Ocean Catfish, Devil Fish

Atlantic wolffish dwell along cold, rocky seafloors, using specialized crushing teeth to crack through the armor of sea urchins, crabs, and hard-shelled mollusks. Natural antifreeze compounds circulate through their blood, keeping tissues functional in frigid sub-zero Arctic and North Atlantic waters. During the autumn breeding season, males fiercely guard large clutches of adhesive eggs tucked into bedrock crevices until they hatch months later.

Cold-WaterBottom DwellerPredator
Atlantic Wolffish reference
Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyGreen Sea Urchin, Atlantic Rock Crab, Sea Scallop
Predators
  • Greenland Shark
  • Cod
  • Halibut
ThreatsCommercial bottom trawling, habitat destruction, and incidental fisheries bycatch
HabitatsCold coastal and deep continental shelf waters with rocky or bouldered seafloors
Life spanUp to 20 years
Classification
  1. OrderPerciformes
  2. FamilyAnarhichadidae
  3. GenusAnarhichas
  4. SpeciesAnarhichas lupus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Powerful crushing jaws can deliver a severe bite; avoid handling caught or cornered individuals.
Why it is dangerous
Large canine and molariform teeth driven by massive jaw musculature can easily crush human fingers and puncture bone.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by an elongated slate-blue body, prominent protruding front fangs, and a continuous dorsal fin.
What to do
Never place hands near the mouth even when the fish appears dead, as the snapping reflex can persist.
What to notice
Look for heavy-headed, eel-like fish tucked tightly into deep crevices among rocky reefs.
Support conservation
Avoid disturbing nesting dens and report incidental captures to fisheries management programs.
Responsible observation
  • Diving encounters: Observe from outside crevices, keeping hands and equipment well clear of the mouth.
  • Angling release: Use heavy pliers to unhook fish without placing hands near the crushing jaws.
Related species
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