Gadus macrocephalus

Found mainly along the continental shelf and upper slopes (Ref. 1371). Form schools (Ref. 9988). They appear to be indiscriminate predators upon dominant food organisms present (Ref. 1371). Young probably feed on copepods and similar organisms (Ref. 27547). Adults feed on fishes, octopi, and large benthic and benthopelagic crustaceans (Ref. 1371); also worms. Marketed fresh and frozen for human consumption (Ref. 2850), and also dried or salted and smoked (Ref. 9988). Eaten steamed, fried, broiled, boiled, micro-waved and baked (Ref. 9988). Used in Chinese medicine (Ref. 12166). The Bering Sea and Aleutian Island Alaska (Pacific) Cod - Freezer Longline fishery of this species has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (http://www.msc.org/) as well-managed and sustainable (http://www.msc.org/html/content_1243.htm).

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

North Pacific: Yellow Sea to the Bering Strait, along the Aleutians, and south to about Los Angeles, USA. Rare in the southern part of its range.

North Pacific.

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 37 - 57; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 31 - 42; Vertebrae: 49 - 55

119 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 40637)); max. published weight: 22.7 kg (Ref. 27436); max. reported age: 25 years (Ref. 55701)

Maximum size: 1170 mm NG

Distinguished by the presence of 3 dorsal and 2 anal fins, a long chin barbel (about 3/4 as long as the eye diameter in young, longer than eye diameter in adults), and a space between the second and third dorsal fins that is shorter than the eye diameter (Ref. 27547). Lateral line with a prominent arch under the 1st and 2nd dorsal fins, is straight toward the tail, ending under the 3rd dorsal (Ref. 27547). Brown or gray dorsally, becoming paler ventrally; dark spots or vermiculating patterns on the sides (Ref.1371). Yellow color phases are known (Ref. 27547). Fins dusky; dorsal, anal and caudal fins with white edges that are wider on anal and caudal than on dorsal (Ref. 27547).

Habitat Type: Marine

demersal; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); marine; depth range 0 - 1280 m (Ref. 50550), usually 100 - 400 m (Ref. 54440)

Depth range based on 1943 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 1118 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0 - 333
  Temperature range (°C): -1.040 - 8.274
  Nitrate (umol/L): 4.186 - 40.609
  Salinity (PPS): 31.082 - 33.970
  Oxygen (ml/l): 2.013 - 7.863
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.566 - 2.734
  Silicate (umol/l): 16.245 - 72.689

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 0 - 333

Temperature range (°C): -1.040 - 8.274

Nitrate (umol/L): 4.186 - 40.609

Salinity (PPS): 31.082 - 33.970

Oxygen (ml/l): 2.013 - 7.863

Phosphate (umol/l): 0.566 - 2.734

Silicate (umol/l): 16.245 - 72.689
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Depth: 0 - 875m.
Recorded at 875 meters.

Habitat: demersal. Found mostly between 100 and 400 m in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea. Forms schools (Ref. 9988). Appears to be indiscriminate predators upon dominant food organisms present. Diet includes crabs, shrimps, worms, molluscs, saffron cod, pollock, smelt, herring, flounders, cottids, salmon and sardines. Marketed fresh and frozen for human consumption (Ref. 2850), and also dried/salted and smoked (Ref. 9988). Eaten steamed, fried, broiled, boiled, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988). Used in Chinese medicine (Ref. 12166).

Non-Migrant: No. All populations of this species make significant seasonal migrations.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Oceanodromous. Migrating within oceans typically between spawning and different feeding areas, as tunas do. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Found mainly along the continental shelf and upper slopes (Ref. 1371). A carnivore (Ref. 9137).

From late summer to mid-winter, fish move into the deeper water (100 to 250 m) of spawning areas; move inshore to depths of 30 to 60 m after spawning (Ref. 27547).

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

Rounded Global Status Rank: GNR - Not Yet Ranked

Not Evaluated

fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes; price category: low; price reliability: reliable: based on ex-vessel price for this species