A fish in Eel Clothing

There are a few "it", gotta see critters in the waters of British Columbia. Most people who I've taugh how to dive, taken diving or talk to about diving in B.C. name three or four animals they want to see. Giant Pacific Octopus, Stellar Sea lions, and this fish, the Wolf eel.

The Wolf eel, Anarrhichthys ocellatus is the only member within the genus Anarrhichthys however it does have a distant cousin that lives in temperate Atlantic waters.

Wolf eels are not eels at all, they are just elongated fish. Larger males can grow up to three meters in length. As the wolf eel matures they become more and more wrinklely and old man looking. Scars from fights and age really can catch up with them giving them quite a fierce appearance.

Despite their fierce appearance, wolf eels living in areas frequented by divers can become “tamed” and regularly interact with the human visitors to their world. These fish den and mate for life so regularly encountering the local wolf eel is an amazing encounter for divers.

As a diver and photographer "taking people out out" to see the wolf eels is always a great time. They are great subjects and will pose for the camera.

Thanks for reading.

Scott

For more images and stories - http://www.scottstevensonphotography.ca/