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Pollack (Pollachius pollachius) — Gadidae

Pollack

Pollachius pollachius
Family: Gadidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pollack (Pollachius pollachius) is a saltwater fish of the family Gadidae that grows up to 130 cm.

Length
130 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
40.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The pollack is a slender cod relative of the family Gadidae reaching about 130 cm. The body is brown to olive with a golden tinge and a pale belly; typical are the three dorsal fins, the strongly projecting lower jaw, the absence of a chin barbel and the markedly curved lateral line. The species lives over rocks, wrecks and mixed bottoms of the north-eastern Atlantic and the North Sea. Young pollack stay near the coast among weeds, older fish move to deeper water. As an active predator it hunts small fish, shrimps and crustaceans in schools. The pollack is a popular, hard-fighting sport fish and a valued food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pollack?

The Pollack has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Pollack live?

The Pollack lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Pollack get?

The Pollack grows to a maximum of about 130 cm. On average the species is around 75 cm.

Is the Pollack dangerous to humans?

No, the Pollack is harmless to humans.

Is the Pollack edible?

Yes, the Pollack is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pollak sourced
English name
Pollack verified
Scientific name
Pollachius pollachius
Family
Gadidae
Other names
Coalfish; Dover hake; European pollock; Grass whiting; Green pollack verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
130.0 verified
Average length (cm)
75.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Three separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
40.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
levensduur_max_jaar
8.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten verified
Fishing method
Spinnen of pilkeren met kunstaas boven wrakken en riffen, of sleephengelen met zachte shads; een geliefde, fel vechtende kantvis 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 Pollachius

More from the family Gadidae

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