A fearsome wolf fish was attracting more interest in Dingle's Ocean World this weekend than the nearby shark tank, writes Anne Lucey.
Found by fishermen off the north-west coast last week, the unappealing fish, which has teeth strong enough to crack an urchin or a crab, was recovering his strength in the Kerry aquarium.
Mr Kevin Flannery, a marine biologist, explained that wolf fish are strong enough to break a bone. As a result, fishermen are wary of handling them when they are brought up in the cod nets.
The wolf fish has been known to bite through wood with its strong teeth, which are replaced each year. Its skin may be used for leather. At home in northern waters, the wolf fish, Anarhichas lupus, is popular with the Inuit people.