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Alaska cod (Gadus macrocephalus) — Gadidae

Alaska cod

Gadus macrocephalus
Family: Gadidae

The Alaska cod (Gadus macrocephalus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gadidae that grows up to 119 cm.

Length
119 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
10.0–1280.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Pacific cod is a cod (Gadidae) from the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 1 metre and has a robust, brown-grey body with three dorsal fins, two anal fins and a conspicuous chin barbel. It lives mainly along the continental shelf and upper slope and forms schools. As an indiscriminate predator it feeds on fishes, crustaceans, molluscs and worms. It is a very important commercial fishery species of the North Pacific. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Alaska cod?

The Alaska cod has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Alaska cod live?

The Alaska cod lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Alaska cod get?

The Alaska cod grows to a maximum of about 119 cm.

Is the Alaska cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Alaska cod is harmless to humans.

Is the Alaska cod edible?

Yes, the Alaska cod is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Groenlandse kabeljauw sourced
English name
Alaska cod verified
Scientific name
Gadus macrocephalus
Family
Gadidae
Other names
Cod; Gray cod; Greenland cod verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
119.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Three separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1280.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
25.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Wordt met sleepnetten, beuglijnen en fuiken op grote schaal bevist. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gadus

More from the family Gadidae

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