Image 4-23
Atlantic Wolffish

This image of an Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) was taken by NOAA photographers off the coast of Massachusetts in the Tellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. This fierce-looking fish has extremely strong jaws that it uses to crush the shells of crustaceans, sea urchins, mussels, and clams. In spite of its gruesome appearance, it is not aggressive towards people and is not known to bite unless provoked. Wolffish are found in the cold waters of the north Atlantic Ocean. They can reach a maximum length of 5 feet (1.5 meters).