402 Common Wolf Fish 



Distribution: Found from Labrador to New Jersey. 

 Size: Maximum length about 3 feet. 



General Information: The Wrymouth is a bottom species 

 found from the intertidal zone down to a depth of at 

 least 600 feet. It lives in burrows in the mud. Spawning 

 probably occurs in winter and spring. This fish feeds on 

 crustaceans and fish. 

 Economic Importance: None. 



Common Wolf Fish 

 Anarhichas lupus Linnaeus 



Color: Variable; usually purple-brown but may be olive 

 green or bluish gray. Sides have 10 or more irregular, 

 broken dark bands or blotches. Throat and belly a dirty 

 white with a tinge of the color of the upper parts. 

 Distribution: Occurs on both sides of the North Atlantic. 

 In the western Atlantic it is found from Davis Strait to 

 Cape Cod and less commonly south of Cape Cod to New 

 Jersey. 



Size: Maximum length about 5 feet. Usually fish that are 

 caught are less than 4 feet. A specimen slightly over 3 

 feet long weighed 16-17 pounds. 



General Information: The Common Wolf Fish is a bottom 

 species found from shoal waters close to shore down to 

 depths of over 500 feet. It is a cool-water fish, solitary in 

 habit and not found in schools. Spawning takes place in 

 winter. The eggs are sticky when laid and attach in loose 

 clumps to seaweeds, stones, and other objects. The Com- 

 mon Wolf Fish feeds on shellfish, crustaceans, sea urchins, 

 and starfish, which it crushes in its heavy molar-like teeth. 



