Species · GBIF taxon 2415853
Pacific Cod
Gadus macrocephalusAlso known as Gray Cod, Grey Cod, Grayfish, Greyfish
Pacific cod cruise cold continental shelves and deep slope trenches, using a sensitive chin barbel to detect buried clams, crabs, and worms along muddy or sandy sea floors. Spawning occurs in winter and early spring, when millions of demersal eggs sink to the seafloor and hatch into planktonic larvae adrift in offshore currents. They serve as a cornerstone of north Pacific marine food webs, anchoring massive commercial fisheries while feeding top predators like sea lions and halibut.
MarineBenthicSchooling
Licensed referenceDavid Csepp NMFS / Public Domain (NOAA) · Public Domain (NOAA)
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Snow Crab
- Pandalid Shrimp
- Walleye Pollock
Predators
- Steller Sea Lion
- Pacific Halibut
- Sleeper Shark
ThreatsMarine heatwaves, ocean warming, and commercial harvest pressures
HabitatsContinental shelf, upper continental slopes, and deep benthic trenches
Life span12–19 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyGadidae
- SpeciesGadus macrocephalus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Angler handling: Use lip grips or a wet rag when unhooking to avoid sharp gill plates and teeth.
- Bait selection: Target deep benthic structure using heavy jigs tipped with herring, squid, or clam strips.
- Observe from boats: Watch for diving seabirds and sea lions, which often signal schooling cod beneath.
Competitor Unknown authorUnknown author / Public domain · cc0
Predator Wikimedia Commons / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative NOAA / Public Domain (NOAA) · Public Domain (NOAA)
Close Relative George Berninger Jr. / CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
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