With its jutting not-so-pearly-whites, the Atlantic wolffish looks as though it's wearing novelty hillbilly teeth; and its diet of sea urchins only contributes to a seemingly gruff demeanor.

Although these fish are known to populate the waters off the coast, a handful have arrived land-side. The Maine State Aquarium recently brought back several wolffish from Canada to be displayed in Boothbay Harbor.

Aquarium Manager Aimee Hayden-Roderiques said the fish are not an unfamiliar species at the aquarium, or in the region, for that matter.

“There are reports of the Atlantic wolffish here in Boothbay Harbor; many divers have given us tales of their sightings and interactions with them,” she said. “Although they are commonly thought to be quite vicious, given their large teeth and fondness for eating sea urchins, they are actually pretty docile.”

The fish can be found in the murky waters of the Gulf of Maine, where it munches on sea urchins and other hard-shelled crustaceans.

The wolffish has been deemed a species of concern by the National Marine Fisheries Service due to overfishing of groundfish. Wolffish are frequently snapped up by nets going for cod or other groundfish.

“We have had wolffish in the past,” Hayden-Roderiques said. “They are a common species in the Gulf of Maine, but they are currently a protected species because their numbers are thought to be threatened. They are currently listed as a species of concern and are being considered for listing as an endangered species in the U.S.”

However, the wolffish at the Maine State Aquarium didn't come from the harbor. The specimens brought in came from an aquaculture facility in Quebec-Marical, which Hayden-Roderiques said is associated with the Universite du Quebec a Roumiski. The trip to pick up the fish took approximately 13-14 hours one-way, Hayden-Roderiques said.

“Exhibiting these specimens again will give us an opportunity to discuss both the research and protection efforts for this species and also aquaculture,” she said.

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 207-633-4620 or bbulkeley@boothbayregister.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BBRegisterBen.