The Blue Whiting, Micromesistius poutassou, is a commercially important fish species found in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a slender, silvery fish with a distinctive blue hue on its back and flanks. This species plays a significant role in the marine ecosystem, serving as prey for larger fish and contributing to the balance of the food web.
Description & Characteristics
The Blue Whiting, Micromesistius poutassou, is a relatively small fish, reaching a maximum size of 55.5 cm. Its body is elongated and compressed, with a pointed head and a slightly forked tail. The back and flanks of the fish are typically a bluish-grey color, while the belly is silvery. The fish has a single dorsal fin, a single anal fin, and two pectoral fins. Micromesistius poutassou is a member of the cod family (Gadidae) and shares many of the characteristics of its relatives, such as a barbel on its chin and three spines on its anal fin.
Habitat and Occurrence
Micromesistius poutassou is a demersal fish, meaning it lives on or near the seafloor. It is typically found in depths ranging from 150 to 3,000 meters, inhabiting the bathyal and abyssal zones of the ocean. This fish is found in the North Atlantic Ocean, with its distribution extending from the coasts of Norway and Iceland to the western coast of Africa. Micromesistius poutassou prefers areas with rocky bottoms and is often associated with the continental slope.
Taxonomy
The species Micromesistius poutassou belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Gadiformes, and Family: Gadidae. Teleostei is the largest order of fish, comprising over 20,000 species. Gadiformes is an order of fish that includes cods, hakes, and pollocks, all characterized by their elongated bodies and barbels. The family Gadidae, which includes the Blue Whiting, contains numerous commercially important fish species.
Feeding
Micromesistius poutassou is a predatory fish with a diverse diet. It primarily feeds on small invertebrates, including crustaceans like amphipods, copepods, krill, mysis, isopods, and rock shrimps. It also consumes small fish, cephalopods like sepia, and occasionally larger invertebrates. The feeding habits of Micromesistius poutassou contribute to its role in the marine food web, connecting smaller organisms to larger predators.
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