Trisopterus minutus

Researched By	Morvan Barnes	Data Supplied By	MarLIN
Refereed by	This information is not refereed
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Trisopterus minutus	Common name	Poor Cod
MCS Code	ZG144	Recent Synonyms
Phylum	Chordata	Subphylum	Vertebrata
Superclass	Gnathostomata	Class	Osteichthyes
Subclass	Teleostei	Order	Gadiformes
Suborder		Family	Gadidae
Genus	Trisopterus	Species	minutus
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References	Gibson et al., 2001, Muus & Nielson, 1999, Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Whitehead et al., 1986
General Biology
Growth form	Pisciform	Feeding method	Predator, Scavenger
Mobility/Movement	Swimmer	Environmental position	Demersal
Typical food types	Crustaceans as well as small fish and polychaetes.	Habit	Free living
Bioturbator	Not relevant	Flexibility	Low (10-45 degrees)
Fragility	Intermediate	Size	Medium-large(21-50cm)
Height	Not researched	Growth Rate	1-1.5 cm / month
Adult dispersal potential	>10km	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Gregarious
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Metin et al., 2008, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Whitehead et al., 1986, Wheeler, 1969, Cohen et al., 1990
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Found off all British and Irish coasts although less common off north-east Britain.
Global distribution	Found in western Europe from Sweden and Scotland to south-east Spain and Greece.
Biogeographic range	Temperate to warm temperate.	Depth range	From 15 m to 200 m depth.
Migratory	Seasonal (reproduction)
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	Bedrock, Sandy mud, Muddy sand	Physiographic preferences	Open coast, Offshore seabed
Biological zone	Upper Infralittoral, Lower Infralittoral, Upper Circalittoral, Lower Circalittoral, Circalittoral Offshore, Bathybenthic (Bathyal)	Wave exposure
Tidal stream strength/Water flow		Salinity	Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat Additional Information
Distribution References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Whitehead et al., 1986, Wheeler, 1969, Cohen et al., 1990
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Oviparous
Reproductive Season	January to April	Reproductive Location	Water column
Reproductive frequency	Annual episodic	Regeneration potential	No
Life span	3-5 years	Age at reproductive maturity	1 year
Generation time	Not researched	Fecundity	1,000 to 20,000
Egg/propagule size	0.9-1 mm	Fertilization type	External
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Insufficient information Larval settlement period Not relevant Duration of larval stage Not relevant
Additional Information
Reproduction References	Metin et al., 2008, Munk & Nielsen, 2005, Cohen et al., 1990