Microgadus proximus
Pacific Tomcod
NS
G5
Collection Details
Specimens
Photos
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Records
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fishes)
Gadiformes (Cod, Hakes and others)
Gadidae (Cods)
Microgadus
Microgadus proximus (Pacific Tomcod)
Description
This species account was compiled from
FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2025. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version 04/2025.)
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Characters
Body shape: fusiform / normal. Body olive green dorsally, pale ventrally; fins dusky marginally. Striking features: none.
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: southeastern Bering Sea to central California, USA.
Habitat Associations
Brackish, marine. demersal. depth range 0-275 m.
Biology
Generally found over sand (Ref. 1371). May enter brackish water (Ref. 1371). Young move into shallow waters in summer and fall, whereas adults usually stay in deeper waters (Ref. 28499). Feeds on shrimps, amphipods, isopods, gastropods, mussels and fishes (Ref. 1371). An important prey species (Ref. 2850).
Max length: 30.5 cm SL.
Reproductive mode: dioecism; fertilization: external; nonguarders (open water/substratum egg scatterers); parental care: none. Oviparous, sexes are separate (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: N.E. (N.E.). Resilience: Medium (tm=2).
Commercial or Environmental Importance
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish.
References
Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen (1966) Modes of reproduction in fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey. 941 p.
Cohen, D.M., T. Inada, T. Iwamoto and N. Scialabba (1990) FAO species catalogue. Vol. 10. Gadiform fishes of the world (Order Gadiformes). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of cods, hakes, grenadiers and other gadiform fishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(10). Rome: FAO. 442 p.
Olesiuk, P.F. (1993) Annual prey consumption by harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia. Fish. Bull. 91:491-515.
Lamb, A. and P. Edgell (1986) Coastal fishes of the Pacific northwest. Madeira Park, (BC, Canada): Harbour Publishing Co. Ltd., 224 p.
Comments On Microgadus proximus