Cultivation of the spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor (Olafsen) - a new candidate for cold-water fish farming: Cultivation of Anarhichas minor I-B Falk-Petersen et al.
Open accessAbstract
The spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor (Olafsen), with its rich and tasty fillets, popular skin and high growth rates in captivity, is a promising candidate for cold-water aquaculture. We have established a production line for the wolffish during 5 years of active research on the biology of the species. Our broodstock, sampled from the Barents Sea, has mainly spawned during autumn. The females must be stripped as soon as possible after ovulation. The best egg batches have shown c. 100% fertilization and survival rates between 60% and 80% during the 800- to 960-daydegrees-long incubation period. Rearing temperatures of 6 °C, 8 °C, ambient and decreasing temperatures have turned out to be satisfactory for survival. Treatment with 150 p.p.m. glutardialdehyde twice a month is recommended to control microorganism growth on eggs. Premature hatching has been a problem in individual egg batches; the reasons are not fully understood. Normally hatched individuals are ≈ 22 mm long and well developed, with a small yolk sac, which is completely resorbed after about 4 weeks at 6–8 °C. The fry have been successfully start fed on formulated feed as well as Artemia. Highest early growth rates have been noted at 8 °C, but overall survival was best at 6 °C. On-growth of spotted wolffish juveniles fed formulated dry floating feed at low temperatures in shallow raceways has been promising. After 2, 3 and 4 years, the mean weights of the first generation produced in aquaculture were 0.7, 2.7 and 5.1 kg respectively. These individuals now make up the broodstock at a recently established commercial production facility.
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Serious reduction in growth and health of Atlantic wolffish occurs at 15°C.
“data indicate that serious reduction in growth and health of Atlantic wolffish occurs at 15°C (Árnason et al., 2019; Falk‐Petersen et al., 1999; Hansen & Falk‐Petersen, 2002).”
From Insights into thermal sensitivity: Effects of elevated temperature on growth, metabolic rate, and stress responses in Atlantic wolffish (<i>Anarhichas lupus</i>) (2025) · cites this paper as Falk‐Petersen et al., 1999
The Discussion (page unavailable) reports that 10–12°C can disturb the reproductive cycle and egg quality of common (Atlantic) wolffish. It does not report a serious reduction in growth or general health at 15°C. (LLM, conf=0.78)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredAtlantic wolffish is a cold-water fish with potential for aquaculture diversification.
“The Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) is a cold‐water fish with potential for aquaculture diversification.”
From Insights into thermal sensitivity: Effects of elevated temperature on growth, metabolic rate, and stress responses in Atlantic wolffish (<i>Anarhichas lupus</i>) (2025) · cites this paper as Falk‐Petersen et al., 1999
The Introduction and Abstract identify the spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) as a promising candidate for cold-water cultivation. The Discussion mentions the common wolffish as a growth-rate comparator, but does not make the same aquaculture-potential claim for Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus). (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredElevated temperature has detrimental effects on both wolffish species.
“Elevated temperature has detrimental effects on both wolffish species (Árnason et al., 2019; Falk‐Petersen et al., 1999; Hansen & Falk‐Petersen, 2002; McCarthy et al., 1998; Moksness, 1994; Pavlov & Moksness, 1997; Rindorf et al., 2020).”
From Insights into thermal sensitivity: Effects of elevated temperature on growth, metabolic rate, and stress responses in Atlantic wolffish (<i>Anarhichas lupus</i>) (2025) · cites this paper as Falk‐Petersen et al., 1999
Growth of juvenile Atlantic wolffish was reduced at 15°C.
“Consistent with earlier research (Árnason et al., 2019; Falk‐Petersen et al., 1999; Hansen & Falk‐Petersen, 2002), we demonstrated a reduction in growth at 15°C.”
From Insights into thermal sensitivity: Effects of elevated temperature on growth, metabolic rate, and stress responses in Atlantic wolffish (<i>Anarhichas lupus</i>) (2025) · cites this paper as Falk‐Petersen et al., 1999
The Results report growth of spotted wolffish at 4°C, 6°C and 8°C, not juvenile Atlantic wolffish at 15°C. A search for 15°C growth and common wolffish growth found no passage addressing the claimed reduction. (LLM, conf=0.75)
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Research works printed but not linked: 8
- Bristow G. & Hjartarson S.V. (1996) Some blood parasites of the spotted wolf®sh, Anarhichas minor (Anarhichadidae), taken as broodstock in Icelandic waters. Bulletin of the European Association of Fish Pathologists 16, 119±121.
- Falk-Petersen I.B. & Hansen T.K. (1999) Early life history of common and spotted wolf®sh (Anarhichas lupus L.) and Anarhichas minor Olafsen). FSBI Annual International Symposium, 5±8 July 1999 (abstract).
- Falk-Petersen I.B., Haug T. & Moksness E. (1990) Observations on the occurrence, size and feeding of ocean cat®sh, Anarhichas lupus larvae in western Finnmark, North Norway. Journal of Cons International Explor Mer 46, 148±154.
- Hansen T.K., Falk-Petersen I.B. & Monsa Ês A.K. (1995) Comparative development and early growth of wolf- ®shes, Anarhichas lupus and A. minor, new species in aquaculture. ICES, Larvi `95 `Fish and Shell®sh Larviculture Symposium, Ghent', Belgium, September 1995 (abstract).
- Hellberg H., Moksness E. & Hùie S. (1996) Infection with atypical Aeromonas salmonicida in farmed wolf®sh, Anarhichas lupus L. Journal of Fish Diseases 19, 329±332.
- Hellberg H., Bjerka Ês I., Hansen T. & Falk-Petersen I.B. (1997) Mortality of hatchery-reared spotted wolf®sh Anarhichas minor larvae associated with multifocal degeneration of gastric and intestinal epithelium. In: Proceedings of the EAFP Conference, September 1997 (abstract).
- Pavlov D.A. & Novikov G.G. (1986) On the development of biotechnology for rearing of White Sea wolf®sh, Anarhichas lupus marisalbi I. Experience on obtaining mature sex products, incubation of eggs and rearing of the young ®sh. Journal of Ichthyology 26, 95±106.
- Templeman W. (1986) Some biological aspects of Atlantic wolf®sh (Anarhichas lupus in the Northwest Atlantic. Journal of Northwest Atlantic Fishery Science 7, 57±65.
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A review of the culture potential of spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor Olafsen
Foss, A., K. Imsland, A., Falk-Petersen, I.-B., & Øiestad, V. (2004) · Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries · doi:10.1007/s11160-004-8360-9 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Self-citationHinchcliffe, J., Roques, J. A. C., Ekström, A., Hedén, I., Sundell, K., Sundh, H., Sandblom, E., Björnsson, B. T., & Jönsson, E. (2025) · Journal of Fish Biology · doi:10.1111/jfb.16017 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
- Authors
- Falk-Petersen, I.-B., Hansen, T. K., Fieler, R., & Sunde, L. M.
- Affiliations
- UiT The Arctic University of Norway (NO)
- Akvaplan-niva (NO)
- Venue
- Aquaculture Research
- Publisher
- Hindawi Limited
- Published
- 1999-09
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 711-718
- ISSN
- 1355-557X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2012767901
- Cited by
- 60
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 7.44
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Aquaculture Research (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Norges Forskningsråd
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Physiology › Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species
- Keywords
- spotted wolffish, Anarhichas minor, egg incubation, fry rearing, broodstock management, glutaraldehyde treatment, yolk absorption, formulated feed, Artemia, juvenile growth, raceway culture, Barents Sea
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