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Silvery pout (Gadiculus argenteus) — Gadidae

Silvery pout

Gadiculus argenteus
Family: Gadidae
LC · Least Concern

The Silvery pout (Gadiculus argenteus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gadidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
100.0–1000.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The silvery pout is a small, slender cod relative of the family Gadidae reaching about 16 cm. The silvery, slightly pink-shimmering body has, typical of the cod family, three dorsal fins and two anal fins, and stands out for its very large eyes and thin, easily shed scales. The species lives in schools in open water above the continental slope of the north-eastern Atlantic and the western Mediterranean, usually between one hundred and one thousand metres. It makes a vertical migration and feeds on small zooplankton such as copepods and shrimps. Because of its small size it has no direct use, but as an abundant prey fish it is a link in the food web.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Silvery pout?

The Silvery pout has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Silvery pout live?

The Silvery pout lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Silvery pout get?

The Silvery pout grows to a maximum of about 16 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Silvery pout dangerous to humans?

No, the Silvery pout is harmless to humans.

Is the Silvery pout edible?

The Silvery pout is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zilveren kabeljauwtje inferred
English name
Silvery pout verified
Scientific name
Gadiculus argenteus
Family
Gadidae
Other names
Silvery pout verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.1 verified
Average length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Three separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
100.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1000.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
levensduur_max_jaar
3.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Gadiculus

More from the family Gadidae

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