Atlantic Wolffish

The Atlantic wolffish is a unique deep-sea predator with powerful, canine-like teeth designed to crush hard-shelled prey like sea urchins, crabs, and shellfish. Despite its fierce appearance, this fish plays a crucial role in balancing marine ecosystems. Its thick, eel-like body and natural antifreeze proteins allow it to survive in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic.

Atlantic wolffish inhabit cold, rocky seabeds at depths of up to 500 meters, particularly in the North Atlantic, including the waters off Newfoundland and Labrador. They prefer areas with caves and crevices, where they hide and ambush prey. Growing slowly, they can reach up to 1.5 meters in length and live for over 20 years. Their long lifespan and slow reproduction rate make them vulnerable to overfishing and habitat disturbances.

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Wolfie is our resident Atlantic wolffish, temporarily staying at the aquarium as part of our catch-and-release program. He was collected near Petty Harbour at a depth of over 250m, where the water temperature was a chilly 3°C—just how he likes it! As a cold-water species, Wolfie will stay with us until the early summer months, when the water temperatures become too warm for his comfort. During his stay, visitors can observe his unique features up close and learn about the important role wolffish play in our ocean ecosystems.