Poor cod
| Poor Cod | |
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| Species: | T. minutus
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| Binomial name | |
| Trisopterus minutus (Linnaeus, 1758)
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The poor cod, Trisopterus minutus, is a temperate marine fish belonging to the cod family (Gadidae). It is red brown in colour and has a pronounced chin barbel. It may grow up to a length of 40cm. It is usually found in small shoals at depths between 10 and 300 metres on muddy or sandy bottoms. Its distribution spans the eastern Atlantic; from Norwegian coasts to Portugal and along the Atlantic coast of Morocco; also in the Mediterranean. Spawning takes place towards the end of winter. They are often regarded as a mini species and and are commenly confused with Pouting as they have a similar appearence. They are often seen as a menace for anglers and have little commercial value and so are'nt currently at any risk of extinction.
It feeds on crustaceans, small fish and marine worm. They are eaten by seals,dolphins and larger fish. It is commercially harvested for the production of fish meal, and in southern Europe as food.
References
- "Trisopterus minutus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 19 March 2006.
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Trisopterus minutus". FishBase. November 2005 version.
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