# Pacific Cod (*Gadus macrocephalus*) Pacific Cod are similar to Atlantic Cod but live in the Pacific Ocean. They are also strong swimmers and have a tasty flavor. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Cold Pacific Ocean - **Also known as:** Grey Cod, Pacific Whiting ![Pacific Cod](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426390/objects/4693.jpg) ## Appearance The Pacific Cod has a mottled brown to grey-green body with a pale belly, helping it blend into the seafloor. It has three distinct dorsal fins and two anal fins, plus a prominent whisker-like barbel on its chin. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Gadiformes - **Family:** Gadidae - **Genus:** Gadus ## Interesting facts - Instead of ears, Pacific Cod uses special internal ear-stones to sense sounds and vibrations. - Pacific Cod lays millions of tiny eggs, yet only a few will grow up to be adults! - Their powerful jaws can open incredibly wide, letting them swallow prey almost as big as themselves! - They are 'demersal' fish, meaning they spend most of their lives lurking near the ocean floor! ## Special abilities - **Camouflage Master:** Pacific Cod has a mottled body pattern that helps them blend perfectly with rocky seafloors, hiding from predators and prey. - **Touchy-Feely Chin:** Pacific Cod has a sensitive chin barbel that helps them feel for food in dark or murky waters, like a built-in detector. - **Cold Water Survivor:** Pacific Cod can thrive in very cold ocean temperatures because of specialized proteins in their blood preventing freezing. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 50-120 cm - **Weight:** 2-22 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-18 years - **Swim Speed:** 15 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 900 m - **Water Type:** Saltwater ## Diet & Feeding A fierce hunter, Pacific Cod eats other fish and crustaceans found on the seafloor. - **Age differences:** Young cod eat smaller crustaceans; adults hunt larger fish and squid. - **Primary Foods:** herring, capelin, crabs, shrimp, squid, worms - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Orca](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orca) (*Orcinus orca*) — Orcas are powerful apex predators of the Pacific. - **Hunts:** [Pacific Herring](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pacific-herring) (*Clupea pallasii*) — Cod are major predators of schooling fish. - **Hunts:** Tanner Crab (*Chionoecetes bairdi*) — They actively prey on crabs and other crustaceans. - **Eaten by:** [Steller Sea Lion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/steller-sea-lion) (*Eumetopias jubatus*) — Sea lions frequently dive deep to catch 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. - [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 Pacific 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 Pacific Cod? 50-120 cm ### How much does Pacific Cod weigh? 2-22 kg ### How long does Pacific Cod live? 10-18 years ### What does Pacific Cod eat? A fierce hunter, Pacific Cod eats other fish and crustaceans found on the seafloor. ### How fast can Pacific Cod swim? 15 km/h ### Where is Pacific Cod usually found? Cold Pacific Ocean ### How does Pacific Cod hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Point Retreat Light](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/point-retreat-light) — US · Historic District ## 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: [Pacific Cod: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pacific-cod)