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Silvery cod (Gadiculus thori) — Gadidae

Silvery cod

Gadiculus thori
Family: Gadidae
LC · Least Concern

The Silvery cod (Gadiculus thori) is a saltwater fish of the family Gadidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
100.0–1000.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeast Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Thor's silvery cod is a small cod relative from the northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a slender, silvery body with large eyes and large, easily shed scales. As a near-bottom fish it lives over the continental slope, between about 100 and 1000 metres depth, and schools feeding on small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans and has little commercial value. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Silvery cod?

The Silvery cod has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Silvery body with large eyes and deciduous scales; schooling deepwater cod

Where does the Silvery cod live?

The Silvery cod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Northeast Atlantic

How big does the Silvery cod get?

The Silvery cod grows to a maximum of about 15 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Silvery cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Silvery 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.

Is the Silvery cod edible?

The Silvery cod is not usually eaten.

Easily confused with

These species look like the Silvery cod and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Silvery cod verified
Scientific name
Gadiculus thori
Family
Gadidae
Other names
Silvery pout verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Three separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
100.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1000.0 verified
Natural range
Northeast Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Schooling deep-water cod; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Silvery body with large eyes and deciduous scales; schooling deepwater cod sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. 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 Gadiculus

More from the family Gadidae

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