About Trisopterus minutus (Linnaeus, 1758)
The poor cod, with the scientific name Trisopterus minutus, is a temperate marine fish in the cod family Gadidae. This species is red brown in colour and has a distinct chin barbel. It can reach a maximum length of 40 centimetres, or 16 inches. Poor cod typically form small shoals and live at depths between 3 and 91 metres (10 to 300 feet) over muddy or sandy seabeds. Its range covers the eastern Atlantic Ocean, stretching from the coasts of Norway to Portugal and along the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Spawning occurs in late winter. Poor cod are often categorized as a mini species, and are frequently confused with pouting due to their similar appearance. Anglers often consider them a nuisance, and they have little commercial value, meaning they are not currently at risk of extinction. Their diet consists of crustaceans, small fish, and marine worms. They are preyed on by seals, dolphins, and larger fish. They are commercially harvested to produce fish meal, and are eaten as food in southern Europe.
