Spotted wolffish

Taxobox

---

image_caption = Recently caught individual from , Greenland
status = VU
status = Threatened in Canada
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Perciformes
familia = Anarhichadidae
genus = "Anarhichas"
species = "A. minor"
binomial = "Anarhichas minor"
binomial_authority = Olafsen, 1772

Spotted Wolffish ("Anarhichas minor") are large marine fishes from the Anarhichadidae family. Other common names include the Leopardfish and the Spotted Catfish. They are classified as a threatened species, at risk of extinction.The bottom-dwelling spotted wolffish is found across the North Atlantic from north of Russia to the Scotian Shelf, off Nova Scotia. The population declined by about 90 per cent from the late 1970s through the early 1990s, particularly in the northern part of its range.

General Description

They have the following characteristics:prominent canine-like teeth in the front of both jaws; a heavy head with a blunt, rounded snout; small eyes; a long, stout body with no pelvic fins; a long dorsal fin extending to the base of caudal; flexible spiny rays; a small, slightly rounded caudal fin; rounded pectoral fins; firm musculature; colours variable from pale olive to deep brown with upper parts sprinkled with irregularly shaped blackish-brown spots; maximum length to over 1.8 m and weight to 23 kg.¹

Conservation Status

This species has been identified as Threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). It is listed under the Canadian federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) and was afforded protection under the SARA as of June 2004. ²

According to the 2001 COSEWIC assessment of this species, it has not been given international protection status. As of May 2008, it is not listed or categorized on the IUCN Red List.

Distribution

Spotted Wolffish occur in the Arctic Ocean and on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean from Labrador to the Barents Sea. Its northern limit in Canada is Baffin Bay, although its presence is rare.In the western North Atlantic, it is found off eastand west Greenland, on the Labrador Shelf and Grand Banks and less commonly on the Scotian Shelf.

Habitat and Life History

This species is found offshore in cold, deep water, usually below 5°C and between 50 and 800 m in depth but as shallow as 25 m (Canadian arctic populations). They prefer a coarse sand and sand/shell hash bottom with rocky areas nearby for shelter and nest building. Spawning occurs in summer to late fall/early winter. As many as 54,600 large eggs (up to 6 mm in diameter) are laid in deep water in clusters on the sea floor and are guarded primarily by males. Growth rate is slower for this species than for the Atlantic and Northern Wolffish (Barents Sea). Fish become mature at seven years of age or older and can live to 21 years. The species does not form large schools and migrations are local and limited.

Diet

The diet of this fish consists primarily of hard-shelled invertebrates found on the bottom, such as crustaceans and mollusks. Echinoderms, tube worms, seaweeds and fish have also been reported in the gut contents of the Spotted Wolffish.

Threats

It is believed that overfishing and habitat alteration have played a role in the observed declines in wolffish abundance. In Canadian waters, this fish species is not targeted by the fishing industry, however, by-catch mortality by offshore trawlers and long-liners is considered a threat. In addition, activities that disturb the ocean bottom, such as trawling, may damage spawning habitat.

Similar Species

The Spotted Wolffish can be distinguished from the Northern Wolffish (A. denticulatus) and the Atlantic wolffish (A. lupus) by its dark spots.

---- View video clip of a wolffish: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhCxIDe75qQ]

References:

Department of Fisheries and Oceans, "Spotted Wolffish: A Species at Risk in the North", Government of Canada, 2005. Also see: [http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/species/species_spottedWolffish_e.asp] Text Sources: Scott and Scott 1988; Stock Status Report 2004/031 2003.

FOOTNOTES:

1. Department of Fisheries and Oceans, "Spotted Wolffish: A Species at Risk in the North", Government of Canada, 2005.2. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada