They can be found as far west as Russia down to the Sea of Japan in the south. They range from Baja California to Kodiak Island, Alaska. These fish can be found along the Pacific coast of North America. Greg Amptman/ Wolf Eel Distribution, Population, and Habitat Wolf eel are the largest of the blenny family and not a true eel The specific pattern of these spots is also determined by the gender. They also have dark spots along the backside of their body. When they are first born, these fish have a bright orange coloring, but their color will fade to green, gray, or brown as they age. The gender of a Wolf Eel will determine its coloring, with males being grayer and females being browner. Older Wolf Eels are gray, green, or brownish-gray in color. They have a small caudal fi and no pelvic fins. Their skeleton is made up of between 228 and 250 fishbones that are flexible. The Wolf Eel is a fish with one dorsal fin that goes nearly the whole length of their body. Like other fish, they have pectoral fins and pairs of gill slits. This animal is actually a fish, not an eel. The Wolf Eel’s name may be a bit deceiving. Including the Wolf Eel, there are five different species of fish included in this family, also known as the Wolffish family. The Wolf Eel belongs to the Actinopterygii class and the family Anarhichadidae. This is the largest order of vertebrates and over 40% of all bony fish are included in this order. The Wolf Eel is part of the order Perciformes. Only The Top 1% Can Ace our Animal Quizzes Think You Can? Take Our Brand New A-Z-Animals Fish Quiz Ocellatus is a Latin term that refers to the spot on the Wolf Eel that looks like eyes. Anarrhichthys is a Greek word that means fish. The scientific name of the Wolf Eel is Anarrhichthys ocellatus. Wolf Eel Classification and Scientific Name The slime acts as a protective coating and functions similarly to a human’s immune system.
This means that they can flex their body, making it possible for them to get into tighter spaces.
The skeleton of a Wolf Eel is cartilaginous.Wolf Eels are very large fish they can be up to eight feet long and weigh around 40 pounds. It was given this name because of its powerful jaws and sharp teeth that it uses to crush hard-shelled creatures, such as crabs and abalone. When you find them in non-marine protected areas keep it among yourself as their meet is sought after in certain circles.The Wolf Eel mates for life and prefers to spend its time in tight caves and crevices.ĭespite its name, the Wolf Eel is actually a fish. Give them space and don’t crowed them to much when diving in a group. Don’t feed them as they are easily tamed. Sadly because of its friendly nature the Wolf Eel people think it is ok to touch them and also make a good target for spear fishermen.Įnjoy this amazing creature with your eyes, or camera. Just stay calm they are not dangerous, but that does not mean you can pet them like your cat or dog.
If you are patient you sometimes get lucky and they will swim around you.
Wolf eels are curious creatures and they will come out if they think a free meal is available (please don’t feed them). Approach slowly and do not point your light directly at them. Most likely you will see one of them peeking out. When you see a debris field of crab and sea urchin remains start looking above this field for small burrows. Wolf eels are messy eaters, and you can find a trail of shells and urchin body parts along the sand. If you see lots of crabs and sea urchins near a rocky area you are likely to find one of their burrows. Look for rocky areas with boulders that allow small caves to form. The females are brown in colour and the males are grey in colour. You can tell the difference between a male and a female by their colours. If you find one peeking out of a whole you are very likely to find another one in the whole. Wolf Eels often do, and they make cute couples.