Distribution:
Circumglobal.
Habitat:
Most species inhabit deep water, to beyond 2500 m depth; some inhabit shallow coastal areas.
Remarks:
Deepsea Cods, also called Morid Cods, Moras, Hakelings and Codlings, are a family of gadiform fishes that inhabit deep marine waters. This family occurs in all oceans. Most of the species are known from just one specimen.
The Deepsea Cod family is defined by four taxonomic features. All fishes in this family have an otophysic connection between the swim bladder and the auditory capsule, and therefore have an acute sense of hearing. They also have distinctive otoliths, or stone-like concretions within the inner ear. The caudal fin has several hypurals, which are expanded haemal spines of the posterior vertebrae. The final defining feature is the connection of the neural spine of the first vertebrae with the skull.
In addition to these features, Deepsea Cods have a slender body that tapers to a very narrow caudal peduncle. The caudal fin is separate from the dorsal and anal fins, and the fins are completely lacking in spines. These fish may have one, two, or three dorsal fins, one or two anal fins, and the chin barbel may be present or absent. Some species in this family have a light organ located between the pelvic fins.
Sizes range from 13 - 90 cm, although most species fall within 50 - 70 cm.
This family comprises 18 genera and about 105 species.
References:
Mecklenberg & Mecklenberg 2002;
Nelson 2006