Pacific tomcod
📖 Overview
Generally found over sand . May enter brackish water . Young move into shallow waters in summer and fall, whereas adults usually stay in deeper waters . Feeds on shrimps, amphipods, isopods, gastropods, mussels and fishes . An important prey species .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 46 - 54; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 38 - 46. Body olive green dorsally, pale ventrally; fins dusky marginally.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Pacific tomcod is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous, sexes are separate .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 275 m , usually 25 - 120 m . Temperate; 62°N - 36°N, 179°W - 121°W central California, USA.
🌿 Ecology
shrimps, amphipods, isopods, gastropods, mussels and fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Pacific tomcod |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Pacifisk tomtorsk |
| 🇫🇷French | poulamon du Pacifique |
| 🇵🇱Polish | tomkod pacyficzny |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Bacalhau-anão-do-Pacífico |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Тихоокеанский томкод · тресочка тихоокеанская |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 太平洋小鱈 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gadus californicus | Ayres | 1854 | Synonym |
| Gadus proximus | Girard | 1854 | Synonym |
| Morrhua californica | Ayres | 1854 | Synonym |
| Morrhua proxima | Girard | 1854 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 23 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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