Microgadus tomcod (Walbaum, 1792)
Atlantic tomcod
Microgadus tomcod
photo by FAO

Family:  Gadidae (Cods and haddocks)
Max. size:  38.1 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 69 m, anadromous
Distribution:  Northwest Atlantic: southern Labrador in Canada to Virginia in USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. Body elongated; head small; eyes relatively small. Pelvic fins with a slightly elongated filament. Olive green brown or yellow dorsally, paler ventrally; with dark mottling on sides and fins.
Biology:  Found in coastal, brackish and fresh water, landlocked in several lakes. Feeds mostly on small crustaceans, (especially shrimps and amphipods); also worms, small mollusks, squids and fishes (smelt, sticklebacks, striped bass, alewives, shed, herring and sculpins (Ref. 5951)) (Ref. 1371).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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