Saithe
D-Köhler, Seelachs; GB-Saithe; DK-Sej; PL-Czarniak; LT-Ledjūrio menkė, saida; LV-Saida; EST-Põhjaatlandi süsikas; RU-Сайда; FIN-Seiti; S-Gråsej
Characters
1) Superior mouth.
2) Lateral line accentuated in white, marginally curved.
3) Anus under back end of first dorsal fin.
4) Caudal fin bifurcated.
●) Three dorsal fins and 2 anal fins.
●) Body greyish, brownish or greenish; abdomen lighter.
Often 60 to 90 cm, maximal up to 130 cm length and 10 Kg weight.
Similar species
Pollack - Lateral line above pectoral fin markedly curved upwards; anus under anterior half of first dorsal fin; caudal fin only very slightly emarginated; interior of mouth never black (vs. often black in saithe).
Whiting - Inferior mouth; small black spot above basis of pectoral fin.
Haddock - Clearly inferior mouth; with barbel on chin; big black spot above middle of pectoral fin.
Biology
Often lives in smaller swarms within the water column up to 200 m depth. Undertakes large migrations; often follows the migration routs of prey fish. May become up to 30 years old.Diet
Young individuals feed on crustaceans. Adults feed almost exclusively on small swarm fish like Herring and Sprat.Importance
Commerciall strongly used.Pollachius virens
