Family: MORIDAE, Codling, Codlings, Mora Cods
C small
FAMILY MORIDAE
CODLINGS, MORA CODS
Small to medium sized fishes (to ~ 65 cm usually < 30 cm); elongate, rounded body tapering to a very narrow tail base; no V shaped ridge on top of head; eye large, ~ 1/4-1/3 of head length; gill openings wide, extending above pectoral fins; mouth large, extends to under center of eye or further back, overhung by snout; few or no teeth on roof of mouth; a chin barbell usually present; fins without spines; 2 dorsal fins, 1st short based and triangular, second long based; 1 anal fin, with long base; pelvic fins small, each of 2-6 rays, under end of opercle, bases well separated; tail fin separate from dorsal and anal fins, small, rounded to slightly forked, symmetrical; scales round, overlapping, not set at right angles, lateral line complete; some species with light organs visible as black pits on belly before anus.
This occurs in tropical to temperate areas worldwide, usually in deep water; there are ~ 111 species in 18 genera. Our region contains 1 W Atlantic species that enters shallow water.
PREPARED BY D ROSS ROBERTSON, AFTER IWAMOTO (2002)
