Any one of several species of large, elongated, marine fishes of the genus Cryptacanthodes, especially Cryptacanthodes maculatus of the American coast. A whitish variety is called ghostfish.

eellike Atlantic bottom fish with large almost vertical mouth

The wrymouth, Cryptocanthodes maculatus, sometimes called ghostfish, is a slim, eel-like creature belongs to the wrymouth family Cryptacanthodidae. It outgrows the blennies, its relatives, and may reach 3 ft. A low spiny dorsal fin stands along the entire back.