Pelagic cod

Pelagic cod
Pelagic cod
Temporal range: Thanetian to Present[1]
Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Gadiformes
Family: Melanonidae
Genus: Melanonus
Species: M. gracilis
Binomial name
Melanonus gracilis
Günther, 1878

The Pelagic cod (Melanonus gracilis) is a small deepwater fish found in the Southern Ocean. It is one of only two species currently classified in the family Melanonidae, the other being the Arrowtail, Melanonus zugmayeri.

The Pelagic cod is found in subantarctic and temperate waters, occasionally being caught in the tropics. It may be found at depths between 150m - 3600m. It is from the order Gadiformes, related to true cods. It may grow up to 19cm in length. It has no commercial value.

References

  1. ^ Sepkoski, Jack (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera". Bulletins of American Paleontology 364: p.560. http://strata.ummp.lsa.umich.edu/jack/showgenera.php?taxon=611&rank=class. Retrieved 2007-12-25.