Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Codfishes (Gadidae)

Codfish silhouette.

Primarily a marine family (there is only one freshwater member) with most species concentrated in northern areas of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Codfishes are characterized by having a single barbel on the middle of the chin. They have 1-3 dorsal fins and 1-2 anal fins. They have no spines, and the tail fin is small and rounded. The pelvic fins are thoracic or jugular and, in the two species that occur in fresh waters of Connecticut, have one elongated filament.

Click on species' names below to learn more.

Burbot (Lota lota) - Native?

Burbot.

 

Atlantic Tomcod (Microgadus tomcod) - Native

20 cm Atlantic tomcod.

 

Text and images adapted from Jacobs, R. P., O'Donnell, E. B., and Connecticut DEEP. (2009). A Pictorial Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut. Hartford, CT. Available for purchase at the DEEP Store.