The pelagic cod (Melanonus gracilis) is a small deepwater fish found in the Southern Ocean. It is one of only two species currently classified in the family Melanonidae, the other being the arrowtail, Melanonus zugmayeri.

Pelagic cod
Temporal range: Thanetian to Present[1]
Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Gadiformes
Family: Melanonidae
Genus: Melanonus
Species:
M. gracilis
Binomial name
Melanonus gracilis
Günther, 1878
Synonyms

Melanonosoma acutecaudatum Gilchrist, 1902

The pelagic cod is found in subantarctic and temperate waters, occasionally being caught in the tropics. It may be found at depths between 150 and 3600 m. It is from the order Gadiformes, related to true cods. It may grow up to 19 cm in length. It has no commercial value.

References

edit
  1. ^ Sepkoski, Jack (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera". Bulletins of American Paleontology. 364: 560. Retrieved 2007-12-25.