saltwater, benthic, demersal
Pacific Cod
Gadus macrocephalus
Elongated body with a brownish to grayish back and mottled or marbled patterns on the sides, fading to a white belly. It features three distinct dorsal fins, two anal fins, and a prominent chin barbel as long as the eye diameter. The tail is slightly square or indented.
- Habitat
- Found in the North Pacific Ocean, from the Yellow Sea to…
- Size & weight
- Typically 50-80 cm (20-31 inches) in length, weighing 2-…
- Diet
- Aggressive opportunistic carnivore.…
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Physical characteristics
Elongated body with a brownish to grayish back and mottled or marbled patterns on the sides, fading to a white belly. It features three distinct dorsal fins, two anal fins, and a prominent chin barbel as long as the eye diameter. The tail is slightly square or indented.
Habitat & distribution
Found in the North Pacific Ocean, from the Yellow Sea to the Bering Strait and south to California. They inhabit the continental shelf and upper slope at depths ranging from 15 to 550 meters (50 to 1,800 feet).
Behavior
Primarily demersal (bottom-dwelling). Often found in large schools, especially during the winter spawning season. They show migratory behavior, moving from deep water in the winter to shallower water in the summer.
Diet
Aggressive opportunistic carnivore. Juveniles eat small crustaceans like shrimp and crabs, while adults consume larger fish (including herring and walleye pollock), octopus, and benthic invertebrates.
Reproduction
Spawning occurs during winter and early spring. They are highly fecund; a large female can release over a million eggs. Unlike Atlantic Cod, which have floating eggs, Pacific Cod eggs are demersal and sink to the bottom, sticking to the substrate.
Ecological role
Acts as both a mid-level predator and prey. It is a vital component of the North Pacific food web, providing a link between benthic invertebrates and top predators like sea lions and whales.
Similar species
Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua), which has a more distinct lateral line; Walleye Pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), which has a smaller, often absent chin barbel and a more slender body; Saffron Cod, which is smaller.
Identification tips
Look for the very long barbel on the chin (the 'whisker'), the square tail, and the three separate dorsal fins. The mottled pattern on the skin is usually very distinct in fresh specimens.
Interesting facts
Pacific Cod are often referred to as 'true cod' to distinguish them from other fish commonly called cod that aren't in the Gadus genus. Their chin barbel contains sensory organs that help them taste and feel for prey in the dark or in murky water.
Field notes
Juneau Ak