Common ling

Molva molva

A long-bodied cod relative of deep rocky shelves in the northeastern Atlantic, hunting fish and crustaceans near the bottom.

Key facts

Common ling (Molva molva) is a carnivore animal classified as Fish · Gadiformes · Lotidae.
Primary habitats are open ocean · coast, with a range across Atlantic Ocean · Arctic Ocean · Palearctic.
Activity is cathemeral, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
A long-bodied cod relative of deep rocky shelves in the northeastern Atlantic, hunting fish and crustaceans near the bottom.
Occurs on cold shelves and slopes from Norway, the North Sea, Britain, and Iceland south toward the Bay of Biscay.

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Occurs on cold shelves and slopes from Norway, the North Sea, Britain, and Iceland south toward the Bay of Biscay.

The body is very elongate, brown to gray above and pale below, with a chin barbel and long dorsal and anal fins.

Usually solitary, it moves near rocky bottoms and deeper shelves. Young fish can occur in shallower coastal areas.

It eats fish, crustaceans, and squid, capturing prey near the seabed with a large mouth.

Spawning occurs in deeper water from spring into early summer. Eggs and larvae drift before juveniles settle near the bottom.

Common ling is eaten in Europe and used fresh, salted, and in traditional fish dishes.