FISHES OF NEW YORK 673 



331 Anarhichas lupus Linnaeus 

 Wolf Fish 



Anarhichas lupus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. ed. X. 247, 1758; H. M. Smith, 



Bull. U. S. F. C. 1897, 106, 1898; Jordan & Evermann. Bull. 47. 



U. S. Nat. Mus. III. 2446, 1898; IV, pi. CCCXLVII, &g. 846, 1900. 

 Anarrhicas lupus Mitchili., Am. Month. Mag. II, 242, February, 1818; 



Stoker, Rep. Fish. Mass. 69. 1839; De Kay, N. Y. Fauna, Fishes, 158, 



pi. 16, figr. 43, 1842. 

 Anarrhichas lupus Goode & Bean, Bull. Essex Inst. XI, 11, 1879. 

 Anarrhichas vomerinus Stoker, Hist. Fish. Mass. 99, pi. XVIII, fig. 1, 1867. 



The depth of the body is contained five and one half times in 

 its length, which is six times the length of the head. Maxillary 

 reaches beyond orbit; band of vomerine teeth extending much 

 farther back than the short palatine band; pectorals large, 

 rounded, two thirds length of head; dorsal high, beginning over 

 the gill openings, its longest rays about half length of head. 



D. LXII; A. 42. 



Brownish; sides with numerous (9-12) very dark transverse 

 bars, which are continued on the dorsal fin, besides numerous 

 dark spots and reticulations; fins dark; caudal tipped with 

 reddish. 



This is the sea wolf of Mitchill, mentioned by him in the 

 American Monthly Magazine, v. 2, p. 242. De Kay writes of the 

 species as follows: 



The voracious and savage character of this fish is manifest 

 in the formidable array of teeth with which he is provided, and 

 by his vicious and pugnacious propensities when first drawn 

 frjom the water. . . He is known under the various popular 

 names of cat, wolf fish, and sea cat. His ill-favored aspect 

 causes him to be regarded with aversion by fishermen, but his 

 flesh is by no means unsavory; when smoked it is said to have 

 somewhat the flavor of salmon. He prefers rocky coasts and is 

 said to spawn in May. Not unfrequently taken off Rockaway 

 beach, as I am informed, in company with the common cod. This 

 I suppose to be the most extreme southerly limit yet observed. 

 In high northern latitudes it is said to attain to the length of 

 6 and 8 feet. 



In the deep waters of Massachusetts bay it occurs frequently, 

 approaching the shore, particularly in winter. In Vineyard 

 sound it is quite rare and has been taken late in fall in traps 



