Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Pacific Northwest). Lingcod

摘要

Species Profiles are literature summaries of the taxonomy, morphology, distribution, life history, and environmental requirements of coastal aquatic species. They are prepared to assist in environmental impact assessments. Lingcod, especially during the spawning season, could suffer from oil spills. The lingcod, Ophiodon elongatus, spawns during winter in rocky areas where currents are strong. Lingcod spawn over rocky substrates and the eggs are benthic. Fecundity increases with body weight, e.g., one lingcod weighing 4.5 kg had about 60,000 eggs and one weighing 14.5 kg had about 518,000 eggs. Larvae are extremely active: at first, they feed on small copepods and copepod eggs; later they shift to larger invertebrates and fish larvae. Juvenile lingcod feed on crustaceans and small fish whereas adult lingcod apparently are generalist carnivores (feeding principally on fish). Females become larger and live longer than males. Lingcod contribute to large sport and commercial fisheries.