Atlantic Cod Identification Guide
Identify this North Atlantic groundfish by its chin barbel, three dorsal fins, and pale curved lateral line.
Read the full Atlantic Cod encyclopedia entry →
Key identification features
- Stocky, elongated body with a rounded profile
- Three separate dorsal fins and two anal fins
- A single, prominent chin barbel used to detect prey on the seafloor
- Pale, gently curved lateral line running along the flank, clearly visible against body color
- Coloring varies from greenish-brown to grey or reddish, with scattered darker spots
- Square-cut tail fin
- Can exceed a meter in length, though most encountered individuals are smaller
Common look-alikes
- Haddock: shows a distinct black, straight lateral line and a dark blotch above the pectoral fin, unlike cod's pale curved line and lack of a shoulder blotch
- Pollock: has no chin barbel and a lower jaw that projects past the upper jaw, unlike cod's even jaws with a barbel
- Pacific Cod: nearly identical in shape but found in a different ocean basin, with somewhat heavier mottled coloring
Where you'll see one
Cold, temperate continental shelf waters of the North Atlantic, from the seafloor to mid-depths, often near rocky or gravel bottoms.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell Atlantic cod from haddock?
Check the lateral line and shoulder area: cod has a pale, curved lateral line and no blotch, while haddock has a straight black lateral line and a dark thumbprint mark above the pectoral fin.
What feature distinguishes cod from pollock?
Cod has even jaws with a well-developed chin barbel, while pollock lacks a real barbel and has a lower jaw that noticeably juts out past the upper jaw.
Atlantic Cod identified by the community
Recent Atlantic Cod catches identified with Fish Identifier.
