Polar cod

📖 Overview

Occurs in coastal habitats during summer and winter . Cryopelagic or epontic, from surface down to 1383 m . In the Beaufort Sea, it may also be found in brackish lagoons and in almost fresh water in river mouths . Although associated with the occurrence of ice (White Sea), it is present in ice-free near-shore waters (Alaska) . Onshore-offshore movements are associated with spawning and movements of the ice . Feeds mostly on epibenthic mysids, also amphipods, copepods and fishes . Also caught with mid-water trawls . Utilized as fishmeal and source of oil . Euryhaline and eurythermic.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 42 - 57; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 33 - 44; Vertebrae: 49 - 57. Caudal fin deeply concave. Lower jaw slightly longer than upper jaw. Chin barbel very small. No lateral line pores on head. Scales small and embedded, not overlapping. Brownish along the back with many fine points; the sides and belly silvery; the fins dusky with pale margins .: elongated; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Polar cod is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Polar cod is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Semelparous. Oviparous, sexes are separate . Fish move close inshore, often in large numbers to spawn .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; demersal; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 1383 m , usually 0 - 400 m . Polar; -2°C - 8°C ; 87°N - 52°N, 180°W - 180°E North Atlantic: White Sea, Iceland, and southern Greenland into the Miramichi River, New Brunswick in Canada.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute