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Charcoal codling (Physiculus nematopus) — Moridae

Charcoal codling

Physiculus nematopus
Family: Moridae
LC · Least Concern

The Charcoal codling (Physiculus nematopus) is a saltwater fish of the family Moridae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
18.0–1272.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The charcoal codling is a cod-like fish from the eastern Pacific, ranging from Baja California to Panama. The species grows to about 26 cm and has an elongate, dark body with two dorsal fins and a chin barbel. As a near-bottom dweller it occurs over a broad depth range, from about 18 to over 1200 metres. Juveniles forage near the bottom, while older fish pick plankton from open water. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Charcoal codling?

The Charcoal codling has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly black and shows a plain pattern. Dark cod-like body with a chin barbel; wide depth range

Where does the Charcoal codling live?

The Charcoal codling lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific

How big does the Charcoal codling get?

The Charcoal codling grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Charcoal codling dangerous to humans?

No, the Charcoal codling is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Charcoal codling edible?

The Charcoal codling is rarely eaten.

More photos

Charcoal codling (Physiculus nematopus) — Moridae — 2
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Charcoal codling verified
Scientific name
Physiculus nematopus
Family
Moridae
Other names
Charcoal mora; Codling; Morid verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Black inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
18.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1272.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small benthic invertebrates and zooplankton inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Near-bottom dweller; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Dark cod-like body with a chin barbel; wide depth range sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Physiculus

More from the family Moridae

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