Overview
Solitary predator of cold Nordic waters. Possesses extremely powerful teeth for breaking mollusk and crustacean shells.
Identification
Powerful teethElongated bodyContinuous dorsal finRounded snoutFleshy lipsThick skinSmall eyesRounded tail
- Body
- Elongated and sturdy body, with a large, rounded head.
- Colouration
- Gray or brownish with dark spots, varying with depth and habitat.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/barely noticeable
- Growth
- Slow, typical of cold-water species.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Anarhichadidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Anarhichas minorAnarhichas denticulatusAnarhichas orientalisAnarhichas latifronsAnarhichas orientalis
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, deep_sea
- Preferred bottom
- rock, mud
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the North Atlantic, from the coasts of Canada and Greenland to the coasts of Scandinavia and Iceland.
- Micro-habitat
- Prefers caves or crevices between rocks where it shelters and hunts.
Prefers rocky bottoms and uses crevices for shelter.
Presence by sea area
Eu Atlantico NePeak
Eu Mare NordPeak
Na Atlantico NwPeak
Na Costa Est NordPeak
Arctic AtlanticoPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- mollusks, crustaceans, sea urchins
- Secondary prey
- small fish, starfish, benthic crustaceans
- Occasional prey
- jellyfish, algae, crabs
- Feeding behaviour
- Solitary predator feeding mainly on the seafloor, using its powerful teeth to break prey shells.
- Natural predators
- orcas, large sharks, seals
Its powerful dentition allows it to crush hard-shelled prey.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Resident, but may move slightly depending on weather conditions.
- Seasonal behaviour
- During summer months found at shallower depths to facilitate food hunting.
- Juveniles
- Young tend to hide among rocks to avoid predators.
- Adults
- Adults are more assertive in defending their territory and active in hunting.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- September, October
- Spawning depth
- between 30 and 150 meters
- Eggs
- Eggs are large, adhesive, and laid on solid surfaces.
- Larval stage
- Benthic larvae that stay sheltered among the rocks until maturity.
- Sexual maturity
- 5-6 years
When to catch Atlantic wolffish
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daymattino, pomeriggio
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Active, leaves den to hunt.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Stays in den.
Barometric trend
Rising
Stays in den.
Stable
Good hunting activity.
Falling
More active, leaves den.
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
submerged reefscavesrocky areasmuddy bottoms
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
longlinetrawl netstrapsbottom fishing
Other applicable
BolentinoPesca A FondoBolentino MedioBeach FishingSurfcasting Leggero
Recommended baits
crabsmollusksfish filletssynthetic lures
Baits by pressure
Low
Crab imitazione (gomma)
Medium
Granchio morto / pezziGranchio vivoPezzo di pesceStriscia di calamaroGambero morto / GamberoPolpo mortoSeppia morta
High
CozzaOstricaArenicolaEsca naturale (generica)
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Fights vigorously using its muscular strength.
- Handling
- Handle with care due to sharp teeth.
- Release
- Release at depth to minimize post-capture stress.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The IGFA all-tackle world record for the wolf fish is about 55 lbs, caught in Norway, known for its large size in the North Atlantic. Scientifically reported maximum length for this species is about 150 cm total length.
- In the kitchen
- White and firm meat, used in Nordic stews and soups.
- Cultural notes
- Symbol of resilience and strength in Nordic culture.
- Historical notes
- Historically caught using pots and traps in cold seas.
