Species · GBIF taxon 2415906
Poor Cod
Trisopterus minutusAlso known as Power Cod
Poor cod form active, shimmering shoals just above muddy or sandy seabeds, darting through the dim light of the eastern Atlantic. These small, warm-toned fish are easily recognized by their copper-brown backs, pale bellies, and a prominent sensory barbel dangling from the lower jaw. While they hold little commercial value, they play a vital role in the marine food web as a primary food source for larger predatory fish and marine mammals.
MarineShoalingBottom-Dwelling
Licensed referenceGervais & Boulart 1877 / Public Domain · Public Domain
- diet
- Small crustaceans, marine worms, and tiny fish
- family
- Gadidae
- threats
- Bycatch in commercial trawls and localized habitat degradation
- life Span
- Up to 5 years
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Angler Etiquette: Handle gently with wet hands and release quickly if caught as bycatch.
- Diver Observation: Look for them hovering in small groups just above sandy depressions or near shipwrecks.