Poor Cod

Overview

The Poor Cod (Trisopterus minutus) is a temperate marine fish belonging to the cod family (Gadidae). It is a slender, benthopelagic species that typically inhabits muddy or sandy bottoms and is often found in small shoals.

Appearance

This species is characterized by a yellowish-brown to bronze-red dorsal coloration that fades to a paler, silvery-white underside. It features three distinct dorsal fins and two anal fins, along with a well-developed barbel under its chin. Adults generally reach lengths of 20 to 26 cm, though they can grow up to 40 cm.

Distribution & habitat

The Poor Cod is found in the northeastern Atlantic, ranging from the Trondheim Fjord and the Faroe Islands down to Portugal and the Atlantic coast of Morocco. It typically resides at depths between 15 and 200 meters, though larger individuals may be found deeper. Younger fish are frequently observed in shallower coastal waters, including around wrecks and rocky crevices.

Biology & behavior

As a non-migratory species, the Poor Cod tends to remain within its established home range. It is a gregarious fish that often forms small, sometimes dense, shoals, which may serve as a defense mechanism against predators. It is a relatively short-lived species with a maximum reported age of approximately five years.

Feeding

The diet of the Poor Cod consists primarily of invertebrates, including decapod crustaceans like shrimp and prawns, as well as smaller fish, polychaetes, and zooplankton.