Microgadus proximus (Girard, 1854)
Pacific tomcod
Microgadus proximus
photo by FAO

Family:  Gadidae (Cods and haddocks)
Max. size:  30.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 275 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: southeastern Bering Sea to central California, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 46-54; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 38-46. Body olive green dorsally, pale ventrally; fins dusky marginally.
Biology:  Generally found over sand (Ref. 1371). May enter brackish water (Ref. 1371). Young move into shallow waters in summer and fall, whereas adults usually stay in deeper waters (Ref. 28499). Feeds on shrimps, amphipods, isopods, gastropods, mussels and fishes (Ref. 1371). An important prey species (Ref. 2850).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.