Lingcod
📖 Overview
Ranges from the intertidal to 475 m depth . Adults are found near rocks, inshore and to 427 m . Young occur on sand or mud bottom of bays and inshore areas . Both migratory and non-migratory populations exist . Adults feed mostly on other fishes but also take crustaceans, octopi and squid . Young feed on copepods and other small crustaceans . A very important sport and commercial species . The liver is rich in vitamin A . Marketed fresh and frozen; eaten steamed, fried, broiled, boiled, microwaved and baked . Has sharp teeth and gill rakers that can cut fingers if handled.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 24 - 27; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21 - 24; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 21 - 24; Vertebrae: 55 - 59. Anal spines of adults buried in flesh, third spine closely applied to first ray . Head without scales; fleshy cirrus above each eye; large mouth; maxilla reaching almost to vertical from posterior margin of eye. Jaws with small pointed teeth interspersed with large fanglike teeth .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Lingcod is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Adult lingcod are aggressive predators. They consume other bottom-dwelling fish, including other lingcod, rockfishes, squid, octopus, and crab. They are "known to prey on almost anything they can get in their mouths." Larval lingcod feed on zooplankton, krill, and larval crustaceans, while juvenile lingcod feed on small fish. Lingcod are most vulnerable to predators as eggs and larvae. Adult males therefore guard the egg nests (see next section). But this, as well as their shoreward migration during spawning, makes them vulnerable to predation by seals, sea lions, and anglers.
🥚 Reproduction
Eggs are deposited in crevices or under rocks . Male guards the eggs until they hatch.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; oceano-estuarine ; depth range 0 - 475 m . Temperate; 61°N - 31°N, 172°W - 116°W Northeast Pacific: Shumagin Islands in the western Gulf of Alaska to Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
🌿 Ecology
copepods and other small crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Lingcod is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.3 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 589 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Lingcod has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Blue cod · lingcod |
| 🌍CES | hřebeník velký |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Lingtorsk |
| 🇩🇪German | Lengdorsch |
| 🇫🇷French | morue-lingue |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | キバアイナメ |
| 🇵🇱Polish | ofiodon |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Lorcha-azul |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Зубатый терпуг |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | molva |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 蛇鱈 · 長蛇齒單線魚 · 龍躉魚 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 25 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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