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Japanese codling (Physiculus japonicus) — Moridae

Japanese codling

Physiculus japonicus
Family: Moridae

The Japanese codling (Physiculus japonicus) is a saltwater fish of the family Moridae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
139.0–1007.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Japanese codling is a cod-like fish of the morid cod family (Moridae) from the northwestern Pacific. The species has an elongate body with a small chin barbel and large eyes, adapted to the dim deep water. It lives on rough, rocky bottoms along the continental shelf and upper slope. As a bottom predator it probes with its chin barbel for small crustaceans, worms and small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Japanese codling?

The Japanese codling has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Japanese codling live?

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

How big does the Japanese codling get?

The Japanese codling grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Japanese codling dangerous to humans?

No, the Japanese codling is harmless to humans.

Is the Japanese codling edible?

The Japanese codling is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Japanse moriskabeljauw sourced
English name
Japanese codling verified
Scientific name
Physiculus japonicus
Family
Moridae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
139.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1007.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
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 Physiculus

More from the family Moridae

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