The Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus), also known as the seawolf, Atlantic catfish, ocean catfish, devil fish, wolf eel, woof or sea cat, is a marine fish of the wolffish family Anarhichadidae, which is native throughout the North Atlantic Ocean with the densest populations being occurring at Georges Bank, the Gulf of Maine, the Irish Sea, Denmark Strait, and White Sea. As a benthic dwelling cold water species, the Atlantic wolffish are primarily stationary fish which primarily inhabit sea floor nooks and caves around 66 to 1,640ft (20 to 500m) in depth. They prefer temperatures of −1 to 11 °C (30–52 °F). To survive such cold temperatures there blood contains a natural antifreeze. Atlantic wolfish are uniquely adapted to use their strong jaws to crush and crack open the shells of molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms, and are a vital predator of sea urchins, green crabs, and starfish. Reaching up to 5ft (1.5m) in length and 40lbs (18kg) in weight, The Atlantic wolffish has retained the bodily form and general external characteristics of small blennies albeit just on a much larger scale. Its body is long, subcylindrical in front, compressed in the caudal portion, smooth and slippery, the rudimentary scales being embedded and almost hidden in the skin. Atlantic wolffish vary in color, usually seen as purplish-brown, a dull olive green, or blueish gray. An even dorsal fin extends the whole length of the back, and a similar fin from the vent to the caudal fin, as in blennies. The pectorals are large and rounded and the pelvic fins are entirely absent. Its obtuse, eel-like body type makes the fish swim slowly, undulating from side to side, like an eel.The Atlantic wolffish's distinguishing feature, from which it gets its common name, is its extensive teeth structure with Both the lower and upper jaws are armed with four to six fang-like, strong, conical teeth. Unlike most fish, Altantic wolffish perform internal fertilization and form close mated pairs in which both parents care for and guard there nest of eggs which they build out of sea weed and stones. After hatching the young will stay with there parents for up to four months, until they are strong enough to gain independence. Under ideal conditions an atlantic wolffish may reach sexual maturity at around 6 years of age and may live upwards of 20.
