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Luminescent cod (Physiculus luminosa) — Moridae

Luminescent cod

Physiculus luminosa
Family: Moridae

The Luminescent cod (Physiculus luminosa) is a saltwater fish of the family Moridae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
130.0–640.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The luminous codling is a morid cod (Moridae) from deeper waters of the ocean. The species has an elongate, dark body with large eyes, a barbel under the chin and, notably, a light organ on the belly that glows with luminous bacteria. It is a temperate species that lives near the bottom on the upper continental slope. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small crustaceans, worms and small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Luminescent cod?

The Luminescent cod has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Luminescent cod live?

The Luminescent cod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Luminescent cod get?

The Luminescent cod grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Luminescent cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Luminescent cod is harmless to humans.

Is the Luminescent cod edible?

The Luminescent cod is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Lichtende kabeljauwling sourced
English name
Luminescent cod verified
Scientific name
Physiculus luminosa
Family
Moridae
Other names
Luminescent cod; Luminous cod verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
130.0 verified
Max depth (m)
640.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Physiculus

More from the family Moridae

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