# Haddock (*Melanogrammus aeglefinus*) Haddock are slender fish with a delicious taste. They have a dark spot behind their head and are often found in the North Atlantic Ocean. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** North Atlantic Ocean - **Also known as:** Atlantic Haddock, Haddock Fish ![Haddock](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424261/objects/4694.jpg) ## Appearance The Haddock has a distinct dark lateral line and a prominent black 'thumbprint' spot above its pectoral fin. Its back is silvery-grey or brownish, fading to a white belly, making it easily recognizable from other cod-like fish. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Mollusca - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Gadiformes - **Family:** Gadidae - **Genus:** Melanogrammus ## Interesting facts - Female Haddock can lay millions of tiny eggs in a single spawning season! - Haddock are a key food for hungry seals, dolphins, and bigger ocean fish. - Some legends say the Haddock's dark spot is a thumbprint from Saint Peter! - They use their keen sense of smell to hunt for food, even in murky water. ## Special abilities - **Bottom Finder:** Haddock can use sensitive chin barbels to feel for tasty morsels hidden in the sandy seabed. - **Sound Talker:** Haddock can make grunting and clicking sounds that help them communicate with other fish. - **Spot On:** Haddock has a unique black 'thumbprint' spot that helps it blend in with rocky ocean floors. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-90 cm - **Weight:** 1-10 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-15 years - **Swim Speed:** 15 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 450 m - **Water Type:** Saltwater ## Diet & Feeding Haddock munch on small critters they find on the seafloor, like worms, crustaceans, and tiny fish. - **Age differences:** Young Haddock eat tiny plankton, while adults switch to bottom-dwelling invertebrates and small fish. - **Primary Foods:** Marine worms, Small crustaceans, Mollusks, Starfish, Small fish - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Grey seal (*Halichoerus grypus*) — Seals dive deep to hunt Haddock for food. - **Eats:** [Atlantic Cod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-cod) (*Gadus morhua*) — Larger cod sometimes prey on younger Haddock. - **Eats:** [Greenland shark](https://www.snappit.app/explore/greenland-shark) (*Somniosus microcephalus*) — Giant Greenland sharks can catch Haddock in the deep sea. ## 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. - [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. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## 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 Haddock? 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 Haddock? 30-90 cm ### How much does Haddock weigh? 1-10 kg ### How long does Haddock live? 5-15 years ### What does Haddock eat? Haddock munch on small critters they find on the seafloor, like worms, crustaceans, and tiny fish. ### How fast can Haddock swim? 15 km/h ### Where is Haddock usually found? North Atlantic Ocean ### How does Haddock 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: [Haddock: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/haddock)