To which family, closely related to the Wolf Eel, do pricklebacks belong?
Answer
Stichaeidae
The taxonomic placement of the Wolf Eel is significant because it reveals its closest relatives, contrasting sharply with the superficial eel comparison. The Wolf Eel belongs to the family Stichaeidae. This family grouping typically consists of fishes that inhabit shallower, nearshore environments, often found wedged among rocks and seaweeds. The pricklebacks are specifically identified as being the closest relatives to the Wolf Eel within this structure, sharing the Stichaeidae family designation. This distinction is important when contrasting the Wolf Eel with the eelpout (*Zoarces americanus*), which belongs to a different family altogether, the Zoarcidae.
Related Questions
What distinguishes the Wolf Eel's genus, Anarrhichthys, evolutionarily?What specialized dentition allows *A. ocellatus* to consume crabs and mollusks?How is the Wolf Eel's caudal fin structurally different from a true eel's tail?How long might an adult Wolf Eel occupy the same lair in its rocky reef habitat?Who typically assumes the role of guarding the sticky egg masses inside the secure den?What physical feature does the species name ocellatus specifically reference?Which life history traits make the Wolf Eel highly vulnerable to fishing pressure?To which family, closely related to the Wolf Eel, do pricklebacks belong?From which northern locations down to which southern location does the Wolf Eel range in the North Pacific?What covers the Wolf Eel's skin instead of traditional scales?