How to Identify Spotted Wolffish

To identify Spotted Wolffish (Anarhichas minor), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

eel-like

Coloration

The body is typically brownish-grey to olive-green, covered with numerous distinct, irregularly shaped dark spots (often black or dark brown) that extend onto the dorsal and anal fins. The ventral side is usually lighter.

Scale type

none

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Large, powerful head with a blunt snout., Prominent, strong jaws equipped with formidable canine-like teeth at the front and molar-like crushing teeth in the rear, adapted for breaking shells., Long, continuous dorsal fin extending from behind the head almost to the caudal fin., Absence of pelvic fins., Distinctive spotted pattern over the entire body and fins.

Dorsal fin

A single, very long dorsal fin (68-79 soft rays) originating just behind the head and extending almost to the caudal fin, without any spines.

Tail fin

Small, rounded, and distinct from the dorsal and anal fins.

Pectoral fin

Large, rounded, and fan-like.

Distinctive fins

Absence of pelvic fins. The anal fin is also long (42-50 soft rays) and extends from the mid-body to near the caudal fin.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Coloration and Spots

   Look for the characteristic dark, irregular spots covering the brownish-grey to olive-green body and fins. This is the primary distinguishing feature from other wolffish species.

2. 2

   Head and Teeth

   Observe the large, blunt head and the powerful jaws with prominent canine teeth at the front and crushing molars in the back. These teeth are crucial for its diet.

3. 3

   Fin Structure

   Note the single, continuous dorsal fin extending almost the entire length of the body, and the absence of pelvic fins. The caudal fin is small and rounded.

4. 4

   Body Shape

   Its elongated, somewhat eel-like body, though more robust than a true eel, is typical of wolffish.

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