Scientific Name
Microgadus tomcod

Common Name
Atlantic tomcod

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 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.

Classification

Classified By

Walbaum, 1792

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Cods (Gadiformes)

Family

Cods and haddocks (Gadidae)

Distribution

Region

Northwest Atlantic

Distribution

Northwest Atlantic: southern Labrador in Canada to Virginia in USA.

Range

52°N - 36°N, 77°W - 52°W

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

69 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; anadromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 69 m (Ref. 57178)

Trophic Level

3.26 s.e. 0.50 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

38.1 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (33 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming tm=2-4)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated