Lotidae

noun

Marine: Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific. One to three dorsal fins and one anal fin. Chin barbel always present. Caudal fin rounded. Egg with oil globule. Lota lota is the only freshwater member of the family, occurring in the northern parts of Eurasia and North America (Holarctic).

The family Lotidae belongs to the Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) and the Order Gadiformes. It contains 6 genera and 21 species. It may be found in Marine, Brackish, and Freshwater environments and is primarily Marine. Members of this family are not used in the aquarium trade. Reproductively, most members of this family are nonguarders. The main mode of swimming of adult fish in this family is subcarangiform. Compared with other fish, the activity level of this family tends to be normal. This family may be found from 78° n to 38° s and 180° w to 180° e. Etymology of this family name: French, la lote = the cod fish