Family: Gadidae, Cods view all from this family

Description To 48" (120 cm), to 50 lb (22.7 kg). Front-heavy, tapered toward rear. Dark brown above; sides gray, speckled brown; pale lateral line; pale gray below. 3 dorsal fins, latter two mirror 2 anal fins; anus below second dorsal fin; tail fin squared. Upper jaw projects; long barbel on lower jaw (equal in length to width of entire eye); eyes large.

Similar Species Pacific Tomcod (Microgadus proximus), to 12" (30 cm), has shorter chin barbel, equal in length to width of pupil, and anus below first dorsal fin; occurs over soft bottoms, usually at depths of 90-720' (27-220 m), from Bering Sea to Point Sal, California.

Habitat Deep water over soft bottoms.

Range Bering Sea to Santa Monica, California.

Discussion This cod often travels in schools. It feeds on other fish, crustaceans, octopods, and other marine organisms.