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Family
Gadidae (Cods & Haddocks)
Species Currently in the DFL
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About This Family
Distribution:
Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with one holarctic freshwater species.
Habitat:
Demersal over continental shelves.
Remarks:
The Gadid Cods are a family composed largely of marine fishes, except for the one freshwater species, the Burbot (Lota lota, which lives in freshwater in North America and Eurasia. Gadid Cods occur in coldwater latitudes, with greatest diversity in the North Atlantic.
There are several morphological characteristics that distinguish these cods from other related families. The first character is the first dorsal fin, which begins posterior to the head. In addition, the caudal fin is separate from the dorsal and anal fins, and does not taper to a point. All fins lack spines and instead consist entirely of soft rays. Unlike the related morid cods, the swim bladder in Gadidae is not in contact with the auditory capsules.
Gadid Cods have small teeth, arranged in bands on the jaws and the vomer. Teeth are usually absent from the palatines.
Gadid Cods are economically important as foodfishes, second only to the herrings (Clupeidae) for global volume of marine fish landings. Some Cods are known for schooling and long-distance migration behavior.
The maximum length in this family is attained in Gadus morhua, the Atlantic Cod.
The family Gadidae comprises 16 genera and about 31 species. Nelson 2006 recognizes three subfamilies within the family Gadidae: Lotinae (cuskfishes), Gadinae (cods and haddock) and Ranicipitinae (tadpole cods).
References:
Mecklenberg & Mecklenberg 2002;
Nelson 2006