Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) is a saltwater species recorded in the United States. It is found at depths of 50–150 m.
Scientific name: Melanogrammus aeglefinus · Water: Saltwater
Size: up to 94 cm
The haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) is the only species in the monotypic gadid genus Melanogrammus, an elongated, tapering cod-family fish with a small mouth, a wedge-shaped snout, a small chin barbel, three dorsal and two anal fins and a distinctive black lateral line curving over the pectoral fins. Its most recognisable feature is the oval black blotch above the pectoral fin — the "Devil's thumbprint" — which gives the genus its name from the Greek for "black" and "letter". Off North America it is found from western Greenland south to Cape Hatteras, with the main commercially fished stock from Cape Cod to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland; in the northwestern Atlantic its movements are restricted to spawning migrations, and spawning there lasts from January to July, taking place at depths of around 50–150 m, while females of 25 cm carry about 55,000 eggs and a 91 cm female nearly 1.84 million. In the United States it is a traditional New England boat fishery — anglers on party and charter boats fish baits such as clams over the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank grounds — and it is marketed fresh, frozen and smoked as Finnan haddie.
Back to home · United States · Species library