Saffron cod

Taxobox
name = Saffron cod
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Gadiformes
familia = Gadidae
genus = "Eleginus"
species = "E. gracilis"
binomial = "Eleginus gracilis"
binomial_authority = Tilesius, 1810

The saffron cod, "Eleginus gracilis", is a commercially harvested fish closely related to true cods (genus "Gadus"). It is dark grey-green to brown, with spots on its sides and pale towards the belly. It may grow to 60 cm and weigh up to 1.3 kg.

Its range spans the North Pacific, from off the Korean coasts until beyond Bering Straits, off the Alaskan coasts. It normally occurs in shallow coastal waters at less than 60 m depth but may also be found at depths up to 200 m. The saffron cod may also enter brackish and even fresh waters, occurring quite far up rivers and streams, but remaining within regions of tidal influence.

Saffron cods begin to mature during their third year of life. They feed on fish and small crustaceans. They are commercially fished in many areas of the northwestern Pacific. The country with the largest catch is Russia. It is used for human consumption in the Russian Federation, fresh or frozen.

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