![]() ![]() This eel secretes yellow mucus all over its body to protect it from parasites and diseases, giving this animal the illusion of being green. However, just because these are true eels doesn’t mean their name is still not deceiving. Their eating preferences begin to change as they mature, however, and adult monkeyface eels suddenly become herbivores, preferring to dine on a variety of algae instead.įinally, an eel that is in fact a true eel! Unlike the wolf eel and the monkeyface eel, moray eels lack pectoral fins and gill covers. As juveniles, monkeyface eels munch on small crustaceans and zooplankton. ![]() Like the wolf eel, monkeyface eels typically only leave home to forage for food. One impressive feat of the monkeyface eel is its ability to survive out of water for over 24 hours, as long as it stays moist. These fish are generally found within intertidal zones, where there are plenty of rocky areas to hide. Monkeyface pricklebacks can be found in habitats from southern Oregon, along the California coast and down to the northern part of Mexico. Monkeyface eels boast the same pectoral fins and gill covers as the wolf eel. Despite its long, slender body and its name, the monkeyface eel is part of the prickleback family. Once again, this “eel” is a deceptive one. Around the age of four, wolf eels pair up with a mate and find a nice cave to inhabit for the rest of their days, only leaving to forage for food or if forced out by a larger animal, such as an octopus. Wolf eels are very loyal animals, and when they pick a partner, it’s for life. Wolf eels are typically found in cold waters along the Pacific coast of North America, ranging from Alaska to the northern tip of Baja. As they grow, however, this animal loses its bright colors and turns gray with dark spots and blotches to provide camouflage as it adapts to deeper water habitats. As juveniles, wolf eels are vibrant orange, and can be found in shallow subtidal zones. ![]() The coloring of a wolf eel changes dramatically through its lifetime. ![]() Their strong jaws and sharp teeth help them crack open or crush shells to get to the meat inside. Wolf eels typically dine on hard-shelled invertebrates such as clams, mussels and sea urchins. Wolf eels have sharp canine teeth and very powerful jaws that come in handy at mealtime. Some of the features that distinguish a wolf eel from a true eel are the presence of pectoral fins behind the head and covers over the gills. Wolf eels are not true eels but are rather part of the Anarchichadidae or “wolffish” family. Wolf eels may look like, and even be named like an eel, but don’t let that fool you. But are these slithery animals really as easy to identify as we think? Despite the common notions about eels, some of these animals are more deceptive than you might realize. Learn more interesting facts about the wolf-eel's life history on the Monterey Bay Aquarium's species page.When it comes to identifying aquatic animals, eels seem like a no-brainer thanks to their distinguishable long, slender bodies. Until they hatch, egg masses are constantly protected by one or both parents. This species strong, heavy jaws are perfectly designed for eating crunchy, shelled invertebrates such as sea urchins and crabs, as well as other fish. A bite from the jaws of a wolf eel can cause considerable damage, however the species has a gentle reputation among divers: once coaxed out of its hiding place by the promise of hand-fed food from divers, an individual may readily emerge to greet other divers. Its range extends from Northern Baja California north to the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, and east and south to the Seas of Okhotsk and Japan. The wolf-eel is a slow-moving, reclusive fish that hides away near the sea bottom in crevices and caves, often using an individual location as a semi-permanent den. Juveniles are orange and more conspicuously spotted this colouring fades as they mature. Both are mottled with dark spots surrounded by pale rings, and the degree of mottling tends to increase with size. Despite not being a true eel, the wolf-eel's common name succinctly sums up its long and narrow body, rather vicious-looking snaggly teeth, and impressive size (it can reach 2.5 m long!) While both male and female have large heads tapering into elongated bodies with long anal and dorsal fins, they are readily differentiated as the female is darker and brownish in colour, while the male is whitish-grey male and has a bumpier, puffier head with a bulging forehead and large jaws. The wolf-eel is a distinctive fish unrelated to other 'true' eels it instead belongs to the wolffish family ( Anarhichadidae). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |