Atlantic Tomcod (Microgadus tomcod)
Atlantic Tomcod Overview
Microgadus tomcod
Lifecycle
Atlantic tomcod feed on small crustaceans, polychaetes, mollusks, and fish. From November through February, they spawn in shallow estuarine waters north of the Hudson River. A female can produce 6,000 to 30,000 eggs per year. When the eggs are released, they sink to the benthos and stick to whatever substrate they land on and incubate for a month. Twenty-four hours after hatching, larvae become photopositive and swim to the surface of the water to gulp air to fill their swim bladder. The larvae then move to the benthos and stay there feeding on zooplankton and polychaetes until they are big enough to travel the water column.
Distribution/Range
Atlantic tomcod are distributed along the coast from south Labrador to Virginia. They prefer the brackish waters of salt marshes and river mouths, but can also be found in freshwater. They are usually not found in depths exceeding 6 meters.
History of the Fishery
In the 1800’s, Atlantic tomcod were commercially important. They were harvested heavily in the Boston area, and were called “London trout.” 1n the 1950’s their numbers started to decline and the fishery was closed. Now they are caught as a winter sport fish.
Current Status and Management
Currently, Atlantic tomcod are listed as Least Concern. Their population is presumed to be large and relatively stable with no major threats. It is uncertain how big the population actually is.
Links, Useful documents
http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/wdb/pub/species_profiles/82_11-076.pdf
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/202405/0
Prepared by:
Meg Begley
University of Maine
American Fisheries Society Student Subunit
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