Head to head
Five-bearded Rockling vs Atlantic Cod
Five-bearded Rockling
VS Atlantic Cod
The five-bearded rockling and the Atlantic cod are relatives in the cod family, but one is a few centimetres of rock-pool fish and the other has been a pillar of north Atlantic fisheries.
| Five-bearded Rockling | Atlantic Cod | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ciliata mustela | Gadus morhua |
| Relationship | A small relative of the cod, in the cod family | The best-known member of the cod family |
| Barbels | Five fleshy barbels around its mouth, one under the chin and two pairs on the snout | A single, sensitive barbel hanging from its chin, packed with taste buds |
| Size | Usually only 10 to 25 cm long | Typically 0.5 to 1 m, and up to about 40 kg |
| Appearance | A long, slim, slimy body, usually dark brown to black above and paler below, with a first dorsal fin that is a low fringe of fine rays | A heavy-bodied, mottled fish with a large head and a chin barbel |
| Habitat | Rock pools and under stones and boulders on the lower shore | Cold and temperate waters of the North Atlantic, from Greenland and Iceland to the Barents Sea and the coasts of northern and western Europe |
| Diet | Small crustaceans, worms, molluscs, and small fish found in the pools and crevices of the shore | Herring, capelin, sand lance, crabs, and worms, with larger cod even eating smaller cod on occasion |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, widespread and common on rocky shores | Vulnerable, with several major stocks still far below historic levels after the Newfoundland collapse |
Five-bearded Rockling vs Atlantic Cod: common questions
Is a rockling related to the cod?
Yes, the five-bearded rockling is a small relative of the cod, in the cod family, though it lives in rock pools and rarely exceeds 25 cm.
How many barbels does each have?
The five-bearded rockling has five barbels around its mouth, while the Atlantic cod has a single chin barbel.
Which one is threatened?
The Atlantic cod is Vulnerable, with several stocks far below their historic levels, while the five-bearded rockling is Least Concern.