TAXONOMY
Kingdom:  Animalia
Phylum:  Chordata
Class:  Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order:  Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family:  Anarhichadidae (Wolffishes)

Genus/Species:  Anarrhichthys ocellatus

GENERALCHARACTERISTICS
An eel-like fish (large, elongate, compressed body) with no pelvic fins. Large pectoral fins. Colored mostly gray to brown, occasionally greenish. Round dark spots with pale rings on body and fins. Length to 2.4 m (7.2 ft). Weight to 18 kg 41 lb. Not a true eel of the Order Anguilliformes.

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT
Sea of Japan and Aleutian Islands to Imperial Beach, California. Adults live on bottom, usually among rocks in subtidal locations; often in dens.

DIET IN THE WILD
Crabs, sand dollars, marine snails and fishes.

REPRODUCTION
Both male and female wrap their body around the egg mass to keep the eggs in place and to deter predators .

PREDATORS
Predators of eggs include benthic rockfish and kelp greenlings.

REMARKS: Can inflict a painful bite. An edible food fish

LOCATION: California Rocky Coast CC06

flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/4673324895/in/set-72157608359804936/

WORDPRESS SHORTLINK  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-Ff