COMMON MARINE FISHES 



113 



LINGCOD 



Opbiodon elongatus 



Relationship: The only member of family Ophiodontidae. Not a true cod. 



Distinguishing Characters: The bony support which extends back from the 

 lower part of the eye across the cheek just under the skin ; the long, deeply notched 

 dorsal fin ; the large, canine-like teeth ; the two large fleshy flaps over the eyes ; the 

 body covered with small scales; the single lateral line. Length to over four feet and 

 weight up to 70 pounds. Color: Extremely variable, associated with habitat. Ranges 

 from dark bluish or greenish brown above with darker blotches outlined in orange or 

 pale blue, to lighter brown or tan with spots and blotches of brown, green, orange, or 

 yellowish ; gray green or turquoise to whitish below. Flesh turquoise green to whitish 

 (the green color is not harmful). 



Distribution: Alaska south at least to the Mexican border. 



Fishing Season: Throughout the year, with no defined season. 



Importance: A market fish of moderate importance with heaviest 1946 land- 

 ings in the Eureka region, followed by San Francisco and Monterey. The entire catch 

 is sold fresh. A leading Central California sport fish, it ranked tenth in number caught 

 and eighth in poundage among all the State's ocean sport fisheries in 1946. 



Fishing Gear: Otter trawls, set lines, long lines, hook and line. Taken by sports- 

 men from boats or rocky shores, with cut sardines or jigs. 



Unauthorized Names: Cultus cod, greenling, cod, blue cod, bluefish, white cod, 

 buffalo cod, leopard cod, codfish, green cod, bacalao, card, testoni, Pacific cultus. 



