| Gadiformes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Gadus morhua | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Clade: | Gadariae |
| Order: | Gadiformes Goodrich, 1909 |
| Type species | |
| Gadus morhua Linnaeus 1758 | |
| Families | |
| |
Gadiformes/ˈɡædɪfɔːrmiːz/, also called theAnacanthini, are anorder ofray-finned fish that include thecod,hakes,pollock,haddock,burbot,rocklings andmoras, many of which arefood fish of major commercial value. They are mostlymarine fish found throughout the world and the vast majority are found intemperate or colder regions (tropical species are typically deep-water) while a few species may enterbrackishestuaries.Pacific tomcods, one of the two species that makes up the genusMicrogadus, are able to enter freshwater, but there is no evidence that they breed there. Some populations of landlockedAtlantic tomcod on the other hand, complete their entire life cycle in freshwater. Yet only one species, theburbot (Lota lota), is a truefreshwater fish.[2]
Common characteristics include the positioning of thepelvic fins (if present), below or in front of thepectoral fins. Gadiformes arephysoclists, which means theirswim bladders do not have apneumatic duct. The fins are spineless. Gadiform fish range in size from thecodlets, which may be as small as 7 cm (2.8 in) in adult length, to theAtlantic cod,Gadus morhua, which reaches up to 2 m (6.6 ft).[3]
The earliest gadiforms arePalaeogadus weltoni from theMaastrichtian of the United States and the undescribed, informally named "Protocodus" from theEarly Paleocene ofGreenland.[4][5]
