# Atlantic Cod (*Gadus morhua*) Atlantic Cod are large, strong fish that live in the ocean. They have a light-colored body with dark spots and are popular among fishermen. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Cold ocean waters - **Also known as:** Cod, Gadus morhua ![Atlantic Cod](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425863/objects/4692.jpg) ## Appearance The Atlantic Cod is a medium-sized fish, typically olive-green to brown with distinct spots and a white belly. It has a prominent pale lateral line and a unique whisker-like barbel on its chin, which helps distinguish it. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Gadiformes - **Family:** Gadidae - **Genus:** Gadus ## Interesting facts - Atlantic Cod have been found living in the ocean at depths greater than 2,000 feet! - Cod can make grunting and drumming sounds using special muscles in their body! - Some Atlantic Cod migrate thousands of miles to find food or places to lay eggs! - Their big liver is full of healthy oils, making cod liver oil famous worldwide! ## Special abilities - **Whisker Radar:** Atlantic Cod has a sensitive barbel (a chin whisker) that helps them sniff out tasty treats on the dark ocean floor. - **Chameleon Skin:** Atlantic Cod can slightly change their spotted skin color to blend in perfectly with sandy or rocky seabed environments. - **Mega Egg Producer:** Atlantic Cod can lay millions of tiny eggs each year, helping to ensure there are always new cod in the ocean. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 50-200 cm - **Weight:** 5-96 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-25 years - **Swim Speed:** 25 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 600 m - **Water Type:** Saltwater ## Diet & Feeding Atlantic Cod are hungry predators, eating lots of smaller fish and shellfish found on the ocean floor. - **Age differences:** Young cod eat small crustaceans, then larger invertebrates, finally mostly fish as adults. - **Primary Foods:** capelin, herring, haddock, shrimp, crabs, sand lance - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Capelin (*Mallotus villosus*) — A key prey species for adult cod. - **Eats:** [Atlantic Herring](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-herring) (*Clupea harengus*) — An important food source for larger cod. - **Eats:** [Haddock](https://www.snappit.app/explore/haddock) (*Melanogrammus aeglefinus*) — Cod are known to prey on smaller haddock. - **Eaten by:** [Harbor Seal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/harbor-seal) (*Phoca vitulina*) — Seals prey on adult and juvenile cod. - **Eaten by:** [Orca](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orca) (*Orcinus orca*) — Orcas are apex predators that eat large fish like cod. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Atlantic Cod? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Atlantic Cod? 50-200 cm ### How much does Atlantic Cod weigh? 5-96 kg ### How long does Atlantic Cod live? 10-25 years ### What does Atlantic Cod eat? Atlantic Cod are hungry predators, eating lots of smaller fish and shellfish found on the ocean floor. ### How fast can Atlantic Cod swim? 25 km/h ### Where is Atlantic Cod usually found? Cold ocean waters ### How does Atlantic Cod hunt? Foraging ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Atlantic Cod: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-cod)