Family Gadidae

Cod-fish

The family Gadidae is a large family with 15 species in 12 genera known from the European seas (Costello et al., 2001).  Some authors recognise an extended family by including the Lotidae and the Phycidae as sub-families of the Gadidae (Whitehead et al., 1986a).

Due to the extensive feeding and spawning movements of many of the species within the family, they are widely distributed around the cold northern hemisphere waters that they appear to prefer.  The early stages of their life cycle include a pelagic egg stage and a long pelagic larval stage.  Many of the species form large shoals although some also live a more solitary and sedentary life (Whitehead et al., 1986a).

The Gadidae are one of the most important food fish groups in the North Atlantic (Whitehead et al., 1986a).

There is more information available for this species in FishBase.

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