Home · Moridae · Dwarf cod
Dwarf cod (Notophycis marginata) — Moridae

Dwarf cod

Notophycis marginata
Family: Moridae

The Dwarf cod (Notophycis marginata) is a saltwater fish of the family Moridae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
24 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–1200.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Argentina, Australia, Chile, Falkland Is., Crozet Is., Kerguelen Is. and others

Want the complete picture on the Dwarf cod?

Get the app

Description

The dwarf cod is a morid cod (Moridae) from deeper coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 24 cm and has an elongate, red-brown body with dark-edged fins, a chin barbel and a two-part dorsal fin. As a bottom-oriented fish it lives on the continental slope and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf cod?

The Dwarf cod has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Dwarf cod live?

The Dwarf cod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Argentina, Australia, Chile, Falkland Is., Crozet Is., Kerguelen Is. and others

How big does the Dwarf cod get?

The Dwarf cod grows to a maximum of about 24 cm.

Is the Dwarf cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf cod 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.

More photos

Dwarf cod (Notophycis marginata) — Moridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dwarf cod (Notophycis marginata) — Moridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Unknown authorUnknown author (Public domain)
Dwarf cod (Notophycis marginata) — Moridae — 4
K. Graham, NSW Fisheries (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Dwarf cod?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Dwarf cod is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Dwarf cod sourced
Scientific name
Notophycis marginata
Family
Moridae
Other names
Dwarf codling; Flatnose codling; Fork beard; Forkbeard cod; Tasmanian cod verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
24.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
1200.0 verified
Natural range
South America: Argentina, Australia, Chile, Falkland Is., Crozet Is., Kerguelen Is. and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

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 verified
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

More from the family Moridae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Dwarf cod?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Dwarf cod is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Dwarf cod? Get the app