Ling (Molva molva) fish species and information / pictures of Ling - Molva molva

Ling (Molva molva) fish species information

Scientific Name
Molva molva

Common Name
Ling

Biology
Occurs mainly on rocky bottoms in fairly deep water (Ref. 9988). Found more commonly from 100 to 400 m. Feeds on fish (cod, herring, flatfish), lobsters, cephalopods and starfishes. Principal spawning areas are Biscay, slopes west of the British Isles and off the Faeroes and southern Iceland (Ref. 35388). Marketed fresh, dried or salted and frozen; eaten steamed, fried, broiled and baked (Ref. 9988).

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Cods (Gadiformes)

Family

Hakes and burbots (Lotidae)

Distribution

Region

Northwest Atlantic

Distribution

Northwest Atlantic: off southern Greenland and Canada. Northeast Atlantic: Barents Sea and Iceland to Morocco. Mediterranean Sea: northwestern Mediterranean only.

Range

75°N - 35°N, 55°W - 44°E

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

100 m

Depth To - meters

1000 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 100 - 1000 m (Ref. 35388), usually 100 - 400 m (Ref. 35388)

Trophic Level

4.25 s.e. 0.69 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

200 cm

Common Length

106 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.6250 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (65 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.12; tm=5-6; tmax=25; Fec=60 million)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated