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Theragra chalcogramma (Pallas, 1814)
Alaska Pollock; Walleye Polloch; Walleye Polloch
Family: Gadidae
Introduction to the Fish

Photograph

© Neil McDaniel     (Photo ID #15962)

Map

Source: Distribution of Theragra chalcogramma as compiled by Aquamaps

Species Information

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 38 - 48; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 33 - 42. The dorsal fins are widely separated. The pelvic fins have a slightly elongated filament. The lateral line is continuous to about the back end of the first dorsal-fin base; it is interrupted at the read of the body. On the head are lateral line pores. Body color is olive green to brown on the back and becomes silvery on the sides and pale ventrally, often with mottled patterns or blotches.

Source: FishBase. Cohen, D.M., T. Inada, T. Iwamoto and N Scialabba. 1990 . (Ref. 1371)

Biology

Species Biology

The adults usually live near to the sea floor, but sometimes they also appear near the surface (Ref. 1371). They perform diurnal vertical migrations (Ref. 1371). They mainly feed on krill (Ref. 39882) but they also eat fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 6885). The adults which are spawning are often solely captured for their roe. Environment: benthopelagic; non-migratory; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 1280 m (Ref. 50550). Climate: polar; 68°N - 34°N, 129°E - 120°W

Source: FishBase. Cohen, D.M., T. Inada, T. Iwamoto and N Scialabba. 1990 . (Ref. 1371)

Distribution

Distribution

North Pacific: from Kivalina, Alaska, to the southern Sea of Japan and to Carmel, California, USA. The occurrence off the northern part of Baja California (Mexico), as reported from Quast and Hall, (1972) (Ref. 6876) is apparently erroneous.

Source: FishBase. Cohen, D.M., T. Inada, T. Iwamoto and N Scialabba. 1990 . (Ref. 1371)

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeSNRNo StatusNot Listed



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

NatureServe Explorer
 University of Alaska Museum

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