Animal Profiles
Fish

Haddock

Melanogrammus aeglefinus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Haddock are North Atlantic fishes that feed largely near the seabed. A dark line along the side and a prominent dark patch above the pectoral fin help identify the species.

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) photographed at the New England Aquarium.

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) photographed at the New England Aquarium.

Steven G. Johnson · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Melanogrammus aeglefinus occupies cold and temperate North Atlantic waters and adjacent northern seas. Adults use bottoms made of rock, sand, gravel or shells and can move considerable distances.
Habitat
Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Haddock take worms, molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms and small fishes.

Classification

Common name
Haddock
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Melanogrammus aeglefinus
Taxon rank
species
Order
Gadiformes
Family
Gadidae
Genus
Melanogrammus
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It has a dark shoulder blotch.
  • A small barbel lies under the chin.
  • It eats many bottom-living animals.

Habitat and range

Melanogrammus aeglefinus occupies cold and temperate North Atlantic waters and adjacent northern seas. Adults use bottoms made of rock, sand, gravel or shells and can move considerable distances.

Appearance and adaptations

The lower jaw is shorter than the upper, and a small barbel lies beneath the chin. The dark lateral line and large dark shoulder blotch are especially useful identification features.

Diet and behaviour

Haddock take worms, molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms and small fishes. Feeding is closely associated with bottom habitats. The species releases eggs in batches rather than producing one single spawning event.

Sources

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