Order Gadiformes
Family Gadidae
(Cods)

 Diagnosis:

• Moderate length
• Two or three dorsal fins
• One or two anal fins
• Generally all species school
• Many have chin barbells
• Pelvic fins thoracic
• Cycloid scales
• Four species in BC waters (Hart, 1973; Eschmeyer et al., 1983)

Remarks: all Gadidae scales are similar so that it not possible to identify particular species with certainty. Although Pacific tomcod is a considerably smaller species than Pacific cod, the size of the scale, in this family, is not a reliable characteristic. Cod scales tend to be robust (thick) with distinct ridged circuli. They are also brittle, especially when desiccated.