Pacific Tomcod: Facts & Habitat

About Pacific Tomcod

Microgadus proximus, also commonly known as Pacific tomcod, is a type of cod fish found in North American coastal waters from the southeastern Bering Sea to central California. This species can reach a length of 30.5 cm (12.0 in).

NativeSalt Brackish4 states

The diet of the Pacific tomcod includes anchovies, shrimp, worms, and other small marine invertebrates.

Pacific tomcod are occasionally taken by recreational anglers. This is usually incidental to fishing for other species of fish, as they are relatively small in size.

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

Range

Where it lives

89.3%of mapped records

Share of 3,052 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 4 states.

Share of records by state

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: Microgadus
Species: Microgadus proximus
ITIS TSN: 164719
WoRMS AphiaID: 275873
GBIF key: 2415888
Outside the US: ITIS also files it in Canada.

Common questions about Pacific Tomcod

What is the scientific name of Pacific Tomcod?

The scientific name is Microgadus proximus, in the family Gadidae. Classification follows ITIS.

Does Pacific Tomcod live in fresh water or salt water?

WoRMS records this species in brackish water and the sea.

Where has Pacific Tomcod been recorded in the United States?

GBIF has observations in 4 states, with the most records in California, Washington, Alaska. The map shows observation records, which do not establish the complete natural range.

Closest relatives