Greater forkbeard

D-Gabeldorsch; GB-Greater forkbeard; DK-Skælbrosme; PL-Widlak bialy ; EST-Suur niituimluts; RU-Hалим морской; FIN-Suomuturska; S-Fjällbrosme

Characters

1) One barbel on the chin.
2) Two dorsal fins, first fin pointed, often with a black spot.
3) Pelvic fins pointed thread-like till behind origin of anal fins.
●) Colour light brown (when dead whitish to greyish).
Usually 40 to 45 cm, max. up to 1 m length.

Similar species

Ling - pelvic fins not reaching behind end of pectoral fins.

Biology

Lives in 100 to 450 m depth over loose grounds; young individuals also occur in shallow waters. Can become up to 20 years old.

Diet

Depending on size feeding spectrum switches from small crustaceans to fish.

Importance

Often proccessed to fish meal. Mainly in southern Europe used as well as food fish.