Head to head
Ling vs Atlantic Cod
Ling
VS Atlantic Cod
The ling and the Atlantic cod are both members of the cod family with a single chin barbel, and anglers on British and Irish wrecks often catch both on the same trip.
| Ling | Atlantic Cod | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Molva molva | Gadus morhua |
| Relationship | A fellow member of the cod family | The best-known member of the cod family |
| Body shape | A long, slender, almost eel-like body, greenish-brown with dark mottling, with two long dorsal fins and a long anal fin | A heavy-bodied, mottled fish with a large head |
| Chin barbel | A single barbel on its chin | A single, sensitive barbel hanging from its chin, packed with taste buds |
| Size | Commonly 1 to 1.5 m and reaching around 2 m, the longest cod relative of its region | Typically 0.5 to 1 m and up to about 40 kg |
| Habitat | Rocky reefs, wrecks, and rough ground in deep water of the north-eastern Atlantic | Cold and temperate waters of the North Atlantic, from North America and Greenland to Iceland and the coasts of Europe |
| Diet | Fish such as cod relatives, herring, and flatfish, along with crabs and squid | Herring, capelin, sand lance, crabs, and worms, with larger cod even eating smaller cod on occasion |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, though slow growth makes it vulnerable to heavy fishing | Vulnerable, with several major stocks still far below historic levels |
Ling vs Atlantic Cod: common questions
Is a ling a type of cod?
It is not a true cod but a member of the cod family, with a much longer, slimmer, more eel-like body.
Which one grows longer?
The ling, which can reach around 2 m, while the Atlantic cod is typically 0.5 to 1 m long.
Which one is Vulnerable?
The Atlantic cod, with several major stocks far below historic levels, while the ling is Least Concern.