North Atlantic codling

The morid cod, largeye lepidion, or North Atlantic codling is a species of fish in the family Moridae. The Catalog of Fishes considers it a synonym of Lepidion lepidion.

Name

The specific name eques means "knight", referring to the plume-like protuberance on its head; this is also reflected in the Icelandic name bláriddari and Danish name blå ridder, both meaning "blue knight."

Description

The North Atlantic codling is pink-brown in colour with a blue tinge; albinos are common. It is up to in length. Its posterior nostril is immediately anterior to the eye. There are 55–60 dorsal finrays and 50–54 anal finrays. It has a lateral line with pit organs but no pores, and 8–13 pyloric caeca.

Habitat

The North Atlantic codling lives in the North Atlantic Ocean; it is benthopelagic, living at depths of.

Behaviour

The North Atlantic codling feeds on crustaceans and polychaetes. It usually swims close to sandy bottoms and exhibits station holding behavior.