Atlantic Tomcod (Microgadus tomcod)
Atlantic Tomcod (Microgadus tomcod)
Common name: Atlantic tomcod, winter cod, frostfish
Scientific name: Microgadus tomcod
Locations: shallow ocean waters
Seasonality: available all year
Colors: olive, white belly, beige, tan
Size: 8” - 11”
Collected: fishing line
Quantity: sold by the each
Atlantic Tomcod (Microgadus tomcod).
Tidepool Tim says, "These fish have never been recorded dying from cold conditions. They're very tolerant of the near ice-cold waters of the Northern Atlantic, deeming them the 'frostfish.' The mechanism that allows the tomcod to tolerate freezing temperatures is TLSPs (trypsin-like serine protease) in their blood. These proteins have a "sticky" end which binds to the pieces of developing ice crystals. The system prevents the blood from freezing. Amazing! These are commonly found at river mouths and estuaries along the coastline of the Gulf of Maine."
