Gadiformes is an order of ray-finned fish, also called the Anacanthini, that includes the cod

Cod

Cod is the common name for genus Gadus, belonging to the family Gadidae, and is also used in the common name for various other fishes. Cod is a popular food with a mild flavor, low fat content and a dense, flaky white flesh. Cod livers are processed to make cod liver oil, an important source of...

 and its allies. Many major food fish are in this order. They are found in marine waters throughout the world, and there are also a small number of freshwater species.

Common characteristics include the positioning of the pelvic fins (if present), below or in front of the pectoral fins. Gadiformes are physoclists, which means that the gas bladder

Gas bladder

The swim bladder, gas bladder, fish maw or air bladder is an internal gas-filled organ that contributes to the ability of a fish to control its buoyancy, and thus to stay at the current water depth without having to waste energy in swimming...

 does not have a pneumatic duct. The fins are spineless. Gadiform fish range in size from the codlet

Codlet

Codlets are a family, Bregmacerotidae, of cod-like fishes, containing the single genus Bregmaceros.They are found in tropical and subtropical waters throughout the world....

s, which may be as little as 7 centimetres (2.8 in) in adult length, to the Atlantic cod

Atlantic cod

The Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, is a well-known demersal food fish belonging to the family Gadidae. It is also commercially known as cod, codling or haberdine....

, Gadus morhua, which reaches up to 2 metres (6.6 ft).

External links

• FishBase page for Gadiformes