Gadella maraldi (Risso, 1810)
Gadella
Gadella maraldi
photo by Delgado, J.

Family:  Moridae (Morid cods)
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 150 - 900 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: off Portugal, Madeira, the Azores and the Great Meteor Bank. Its southern distribution along the west coast of Africa is not clear. Also known from the Mediterranean.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. Anal fin originating on anterior third of body; pectoral fins reaching far beyond the anal fin origin; filamentous ray of pelvic fin reaching slightly beyond the anal fin origin. Color is generally dark, oral cavity pale.
Biology:  Occurs on the upper slope, over hard bottom (Ref. 4495, 4774). Depth range from 150-700 m (Ref. 01371) and from 368-748 m in the eastern Ionian Sea (Ref. 56504). Possibly a spring spawner with pelagic larvae (Ref. 4774).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 May 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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