Facebook-f Instagram Youtube Tripadvisor Tiktok
Search
Close this search box.

Pacific Tomcod

Microgadus proximus

Pacific Tomcod

Microgadus proximus
Other Common Names
Taaqatak
At the Aquarium
Sandy Coast
Other Common Names
Taaqatak

At the Aquarium

Sandy Coast

Appearance

Pacific tomcod are olive green to brown above and a creamy white on their underside. They have a small barbel on their chin that is half the diameter of the eye. They weigh up to 0.8 lbs.

Habitat

Tend to school near soft bottoms of mud, silt, or fine sand. Surfzone to depths of 900’ though they may enter brackish waters.

Diet

Shrimps, copepods, amphipods, isopods, gastropods, mussels, and larval fishes

Life History

Pacific tomcod spawn in winter and spring off of Oregon. A female lays 1,200 eggs. Planktonic larvae drift in coastal waters. After the pelagic phase, at about 1 inches long, juveniles move to shallow nearshore waters or estuaries. They will then move to deeper waters in the fall or winter of their first year. They reach lengths of 15 inches; their life span is not known.

IUCN Status

Not Evaluated

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

These fish are important to marine webs. They have a variety of predators including albacore tuna, lingcod, white sturgeon, harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and common murres.
Range
Alaska to central California
On the Oregon Coast
You can try to catch this fish. Pacific tomcod is esteemed as a food fish by some anglers but it does not support a large commercial fishery.
Fun Facts
Pacific tomcod are in the family of true cods. The distinguishing features of a true cod are: 3 dorsal fins, 2 anal fins, and a single barbel at the end of the chin.

Citations & Other Resources

Alaska FisheriesCenter. inchesLarval development of Pacific tomcod, Microgadus proximus, in the northeast Pacific Ocean with comparative notes on larvae of walleye pollock, Theragra chalcogramma, and Pacific cod, Gadus macrocephalus (Gadidae).inches Fishery Bulletin 78.4 (1981). Love, Milton S. Certainly more than you want to know about the fishes of the Pacific Coast: a postmodern experience. Really Big Press: Santa Barbara. 2011. 649 pp. ISBN 978-0-9628725-6-3. Monaco, Mark E., and Robert Laurence Emmett. Distribution and Abundance of Fishes and Invertebrates in West Coast Estuaries: Species life history summaries. Vol. 2. US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, 1990. NOAA Guide Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website
Back to All Animals

Contact Us

Facebook-f Instagram Twitter Youtube Tiktok Tripadvisor

Subscribe to E-Newsletter

Subscribe Now

About Oregon Coast Aquarium

Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

Media Policy

Copyright © 2022 Oregon Coast Aquarium. All rights reserved.

Need to update your cookie permissions?

×
Cookies
We use cookies to improve your experience and see how our guests are navigating the website. If this is alright by you, hit 'Accept All', or 'Settings' to customize and learn more. Read our cookie policy
Settings Accept All
Cookies
Choose what kind of cookies to accept. Your choice will be saved for one year. Read our cookie policy
Save Accept All