What atypical feature describes the scales and texture of the adult Wolf Eel skin?

Very small and embedded scales protected by a thick layer of slime.

The external surface of the adult Wolf Eel is distinct due to an unusual combination of features related to protection and flexibility. Unlike many fish species where scales are large and overlap prominently, the Wolf Eel possesses scales that are categorized as very small and are embedded within the layers of the skin itself. This recessed scale structure contributes significantly to the overall texture. Furthermore, the skin is constantly coated in a thick layer of slime. This slime acts as a crucial component of the external immune system, helping to ward off potential infections in their dark, confined habitats. The combination of these embedded scales and the protective slime results in a texture often described as leathery, which contrasts sharply with the smooth feel associated with true eels.