Haddock & Pollock

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Haddock
Haddock
Pollock
Pollock

These two codfishes have similar-sounding names, looks, and habits. Both are much more likely to be found schooling in open water around the upper reaches of offshore wrecks and reefs than other bottom-hugging cod types.

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus has a black shoulder spot and a high triangular dorsal fin, while Pollock Pollachius virens has more rounded fins and no spot. Pollock is the larger of the two, growing up to 70 lbs, although typically to 3 ft and 15 lbs, while Haddock is more typically 2 ft and 5-10 lbs. Both are good eating, although Haddock is considered the better of the two.

Schooling Pollock
Schooling Pollock

Stargazer

Astroscopus guttatus

Size
to 22" and 20 lbs.

Description:
Don't expect to see these fishes very often - they live buried in the sand, with just their eyes protruding. The eyes are directly atop the flat head, and the mouth is almost vertical. Of course, they are ambush predators. If you flush one from its hiding place, it will clumsily swim a short distance, and then rebury itself in just seconds. Stargazers are capable of producing weak electric currents from organs located behind the eyes. I doubt that it is enough to be dangerous to a diver, although it might be startling! Midshipmen are similar but smaller, with a continuous dorsal fin and luminescent spots instead of electrical organs.

Printed from njscuba.net