Cod: The Fish that Changed the World

Cod, scientifically known as Gadus morhua, is a species of fish that has a lot more to it than you might initially think. Don’t be fooled by its plain, brownish-green exterior – this creature is a true game-changer!

Appearance

Cod is a medium-sized fish with a distinctive chin barbel, a blunt head, and three dorsal fins. It is known for having large, expressive eyes that make it look like it’s constantly surprised by something. When freshly-caught, it has a slippery, shiny skin that makes it resemble a wet leather purse.

Habitat

Cod is found in plenty of places, ranging from the Arctic Ocean to the North Atlantic. It likes cold, deep waters, and prefers to hang out close to the seafloor. If you’re trying to spot some cod, look for large schools of fish, forming “gadoid blooms,” or ask for help from the cod-fishing industry, who knows each of them by name, social security number and probably even their favorite song.

Diet

Cod is a carnivorous fish, and its diet mainly consists of smaller fish, squid, and crustaceans. Due to overfishing, the cod had to settle for a scarcer diet of driftwood and gummy bears, which we don’t recommend trying at home.

Historical Significance

Believe it or not, cod has played a significant role in shaping history. In fact, the discovery of the New World was partly due to cod. During the 15th and 16th centuries, it was one of the most heavily traded commodities in the world, and European colonizers loved it so much, that they used it as a sort of currency. The English even built an entire industry around cod called “Newfoundland cod trade.” Hence, some historians argued that the codfish was more historically critical than Napoleon.

Humorous Facts

Cod is often called the “chicken of the sea” because it is so versatile and can be prepared in many different ways. Don’t tell the tuna that, it still believes it is the chicken of the sea!
It is said that cod can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh over 200 pounds. Good luck catching that!
Cod is a popular tattoo choice for sailors. It is rumored that the tattoos originally started as a tally system, with each cod representing a certain number of miles traveled at sea. Sadly, modern technology has ensured this tradition may not continue.