Meet February's Fish of the Month, the Wolf-eel (Anarrhichthys ocellatus)!
Survey Regions: Alaska to Southern California, throughout REEF's PAC survey region. Also found in the Sea of Japan.
Size: 2.5 to 5 feet, but can grow up to 8 feet!
Identifying Features: Bulbous head with a large mouth and dark ocellated spots on body and fins.
Fun Fact: Wolf-eels inhabit dens in rocky, boulder-strewn areas. Mating couples share the same den and are believed to mate for life! Despite their name, Wolf-eels are not actually eels; they are a member of the Wolffish family (Anarhichadidae) and are closely allied to Blennies.
Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for the March issue of e-News to see our next Fish of the Month!