Greenland Cod

Gadus ogac

Gadidae · saltwater and brackish water fish

2 minute read · Species guide

Greenland Cod field guide illustration

About Greenland Cod

The Greenland cod (Gadus ogac), commonly known also as ogac, is a species of ray-finned fish in the cod family, Gadidae. Genetic analysis has shown that it may be the same species as the Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus). It is a bottom-dwelling fish and is found on the continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean and northwestern Atlantic Ocean, its range extending from Alaska to West Greenland, then southwards along the Canadian coast to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Cape Breton Island. It is a commercially harvested food fish, but landings have been greatly reduced in recent years.

Taxonomy

Molecular genetic analyses strongly suggest that Greenland cod is not different from Pacific cod, Gadus macrocephalus - Gadus ogac is then a junior synonym of G. macrocephalus. ITIS and the Catalogue of Life list Gadus ogac as synonym of G. macrocephalus.

Description

In colour the Greenland cod is generally sombre, ranging from tan to brown to silvery. Its appearance is similar to that of other cod species; generally heavy-bodied, elongate, usually with a stout caudal peduncle. They can grow to a length of 77 cm.

They are bottom fishes inhabiting inshore waters and continental shelves, up to depths of 200 m. Their range covers the Arctic Ocean and Northwest Atlantic Ocean from Alaska to West Greenland, then south along the Canadian coast to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Cape Breton Island generally from 45 to 75 degrees north.

The stock of Greenland cod has been strongly reduced in recent years.

Article text: Wikipedia contributors, Greenland cod (source revision). Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Retrieved 2026-10-11.

Range

Where it lives

Share of 4,267 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 4 states.
0%
98.2%
Share of 4,267 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 4 states.

Habitat

Water and movement

Water
WoRMS records this species in brackish water and the sea.

Classification

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Superclass
Actinopterygii
Class
Teleostei
Order
Gadiformes
Family
Gadidae
Genus
Gadus
Species
Gadus ogac
ITIS TSN
164717
WoRMS AphiaID
158926
GBIF key
2415853
Outside the US
ITIS also files it in Canada.

Common questions about Greenland Cod

What is the scientific name of Greenland Cod?
The scientific name is Gadus ogac, in the family Gadidae. Classification follows ITIS.
Does Greenland Cod live in fresh water or salt water?
WoRMS records this species in brackish water and the sea.
Where has Greenland Cod been recorded in the United States?
GBIF has observations in 4 states, with the most records in Alaska, Washington, California. The map shows observation records, which do not establish the complete natural range.

Closest relatives

Other Gadus species

Same family

More Gadidae