Wolf eels have a fearsome look, with crab-crunching teeth, muscular jaws, and speckled, grey bodies that appear to be carved from rock. They have massive bodies that may reach lengths of 2.4 meters and can live for at least 20 years, yet they spend much of their time hiding in rocky reef caves and crevices with just their heads emerging.
In actuality, wolf eels belong to a family of fish called wolf fish or sea wolves and are not true eels. They are found in the chilly North Pacific Ocean, down to a depth of around 200 meters, from California to the Sea of Japan.
They emerge from the ocean as tiny, translucent larvae that float aimlessly until maturing into juveniles that have a vibrant orange colour. These juvenile fish travel over open seas until they are prepared to settle. They then look for a suitable cave and a cavemate.
Up to 10,000 eggs are cared for by a male and female who wrap their bodies around the clutches in a protective fashion and aerate them with oxygen-rich water. The male and female leave the cave in shifts to go hunting while the eggs take four months to develop. The parents begin rearing their subsequent brood when the young eels hatch and depart. Forever partners are wolf eels. (Sciencefocus)
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