Anarhichas minor

(Olafsen, 1772)

Vernacular names
English : Spotted wolffish
French : Poisson-loup ponctué

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Perciformes
Family : Anarhichadidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Maximum length is 180 cm for a weight up to 27.9 kg. Eel-like body but shorter and heavier. Big head with large mouth and sharp teeth. Body coloration beige to grey with irregular but dense black spotting on flanks and fins.

Range and habitat
Northern Atlantic, west from Greenland to Massachusetts, east from Greenland and Iceland to Scandinavian coasts. Lives in offshore waters, over sand bottoms, close to boulders, from 25 to 600m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is still locally common over its fairly large range. Habitat degradation, disturbance and possible overfishing are the main threats.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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