Other Common Names:

Cod

State Record:

92 pounds 0 ounces

Identifying Features:

Atlantic cod have one barbel (whisker) on the chin. Their coloration is variable depending on their surroundings. The back may be brown or green, yellow or red, or a combination of these colors. Atlantic cod have a light-colored belly and a long, light, lateral band along their body.

Typical Adult:

Length: Up to 72 inches
Weight: Up to 12 pounds
Life span: Up to 20 or more years

Habitat:

Atlantic cod are found in coastal waters, usually on or near the bottom of the continental Atlantic shelf, from New England to the Mid-Atlantic states. The preferred water temperature is cold, usually 30-50 °F.

Feeding Behavior:

Atlantic cod feed on crustaceans, mollusks, sea squirts, worms, and other fish.

Reproductive Behavior (Spawning):

When: Winter or spring
Preferred Water Temperature: 28-34 °F
How: The female cod lays more than 9 million fertilized eggs into the sea, where the eggs will float and are vulnerable to wind and predators.

Did You Know:

The Atlantic Cod has two color phases: red and gray.

The Atlantic Cod can survive at depths of 1500 feet.