Fish
Ling
Molva molva
Deep under a North Sea wreck, a ling slides out from the shadows, a long green-brown ribbon of a fish with a single barbel hanging from its chin.
Overview
The ling, Molva molva, is a Least Concern cod relative of deep reefs, wrecks, and rough ground in the north-eastern Atlantic. Its length, eel-like shape, and huge egg output make it one of the most imposing fish of British and Irish deep water.
A giant of the cod family
At up to around 2 m, the ling is the longest member of the cod family in its region, and its slow growth means that big fish are many years old.
Status
Least Concern, though slow growth makes it vulnerable.
Ling: common questions
Is the ling related to the cod?
Yes, it is a member of the cod family, though it has a much longer, slimmer, more eel-like body than a cod.
How big can a ling grow?
It commonly reaches 1 to 1.5 m in length and can grow to around 2 m, making it the longest cod relative of its region.
Where does the ling live?
It lives on rocky reefs, wrecks, and rough ground in deep water of the north-eastern Atlantic.
How many eggs does a ling lay?
A large female produces many millions of eggs in a spawning season, which float in the sea and drift away.