Fish and Seafood

Fact Sheets

Wolffish or Atlantic Catfish

Anarhichas lupus

The good eating qualities of this species - also called ocean catfish and ocean whitefish - are belied by its gray skin, toothy face and generally ungraceful appearance. This species should not be confused with the catfish of the Ictaluridae (freshwater) family. Along the Atlantic coast, it is harvested year round in inshore, nearshore and offshore waters, with the individual fish weighing anywhere from 1 to 10 kilograms.

Under its intimating exterior, the wolffish yields snowy white flesh. It is available fresh and in frozen fillets.

List of Canadian suppliers of wolffish or Atlantic catfish

NOTE: These processors are volume wholesalers and are not usually set up to deal directly with consumers.

Source: Department of Fisheries and Oceans