Saithe Identification Guide
How to recognize saithe by its straight lateral line, dark greenish back, and near-absent barbel.
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Key identification features
- Streamlined, muscular body, dark greenish-black to bronze-grey on the back, silvery on the flanks
- Straight, pale lateral line running the length of the body
- Chin barbel absent or reduced to a tiny nub
- Deeply forked tail fin
- Protruding lower jaw
- Three dorsal fins and two anal fins, set close together; can grow over 1 m and several kilograms
Common look-alikes
- Pollack: lateral line is distinctly curved rather than straight, and the lower jaw protrudes even more with a golden-bronze sheen
- Atlantic cod: has an obvious chin barbel and a curved lateral line, with a more mottled brown pattern overall
- Pouting: much smaller and deeper-bodied, with bold bronze bars and a longer barbel
Where you'll see one
Saithe is common along rocky coasts and offshore banks of the North Atlantic, from Arctic waters south to temperate Europe, schooling anywhere from near the surface down to several hundred meters over reefs, kelp beds, and open water, often in large, fast-moving groups.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell saithe from pollack?
Check the lateral line - saithe's runs straight along the body, while pollack's curves noticeably above the pectoral fin.
What separates saithe from Atlantic cod?
Saithe lacks a real chin barbel and has a straighter lateral line, while cod shows an obvious barbel and a heavier, more mottled body pattern.