Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus)
General data
- Main name: Lingcod
- Local names: Ling cod, Buffalo cod, Cultus cod, Cultus cod, Blue cod
- Climates: Temperate, Subpolar
- Habitat: Saltwater
- Native: North America
- Distribution: Gulf of Alaska, Pacific Ocean
Classification
- Genus: Ophiodon - Ophiodon
- Family: Hexagrammidae - Greenlings
- Order: Scorpaeniformes - Mail-cheeked fishes
- Class: Actinopteri - Ray-finned fishes
- Superclass: Osteichthyes - Bony fishes
Description
The lingcod or ling cod (Ophiodon elongatus), also known as the buffalo cod or cultus cod, is a fish of the greenling family Hexagrammidae. It is the only extant member of the genus Ophiodon. Ophiodon elongatus is native to the North American west coast from Shumagin Islands in the Gulf of Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. It has been observed up to a size of 152 centimetres (60 in) and a weight of 59 kilograms (130 lb). It is spotted in various shades of grey. The lingcod is a popular eating fish, and is thus prized by anglers. Though not closely related to either ling or cod, the name lingcod originated because it somewhat resembles those fish. Around 20% of lingcods have blue-green to turquoise flesh.