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Family Anarhichadidae - Wolffishes
Order:	Perciformes
Class:	Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
No. of Genera:	2
No. of Species:	5
Environment:	Fresh:  No     Brackish:  No     Marine:  Yes
Aquarium:	none
First Fossil Record:	Ref.:
Remark:	Distribution: North Atlantic and North Pacific. Body mostly compressed and moderately elongate except one species Anarrhichthys ocellatus, is extremely elongate and for its shape goes by the common name wolf-eel. Dorsal fin long, starting at the head, and composed of 69-88 flexible spines in Anarhichas and 218-250 in Anarrhichthys. Anal fin with 42-55 soft rays in Anarhichas and 0-1 spine and 180-233 soft rays in Anarrhichthys. Caudal fin separated from dorsal and anal fins by a short peduncle in Anarhichas, median fins confluent and tapering to a point in Anarrhichthys. Pectoral fins large and rounded, with 18-24 rays. Pelvic fins absent. One pair of nostrils. Scales cycloid, minute and non-overlapping, or absent. Mechanosensory canals of head well developed, pores with age becoming overgrown: nasal 2, occipital 3-5, interorbital 1-2, postorbital 4-5, suborbital 7-9, preopercular 4, mandibular 3-4. One or two trunk lateral lines of superficial neuromasts, difficult to discern in preserved material. Most species have strong canines and molars for digging out and crushing clams and other hard-shelled prey. Gill membranes attached to the isthmus, gill openings widely separated. Branchiostegal rays 6-8. Swim bladder absent. Vertebrae 72-89 to 251. Primarily demersal, inhabiting shallow to moderately deep cold waters. Maximum length about 2. 5 m. Also Ref. 7463.
Etymology:	Greek, anarrhichesis, to climb, the action of climbing ( Ref. 45335).
Division:	Marine
Reproductive guild:	guarders
Typical activity level:	sluggish
Main Ref.:	Mecklenburg, C.W..2003
Coordinator:
Show species | Nominal species list for Anarhichadidae | Identification keys | CAS specimen photos | References

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Page created by: Eli, 04.10.04, last modified by: Eli, 22.11.04