Atlantic Tomcod: A Hardy, Adaptable Fish of North Atlantic Coasts

The Atlantic tomcod (*Microgadus tomcod*) is a small, bottom-dwelling gadid found from Labrador to Virginia. Key traits:

• Appearance: Elongate, brown/olive with dark spots, prominent lateral stripe, black-edged fins.
• Habitat: Coastal, estuarine, even freshwater—tolerates 0–30°C and pollution.
• Diet: Worms, crustaceans, mollusks, small fish, eggs.
• Ecological role: Prey for cod, striped bass, birds, seals; controls invertebrates.
• Life history: Semelparous (dies after spawning); lives up to 10 years.
• Research value: Model for cold-adaptation and pollution tolerance studies.

Abundant and resilient, it's a keystone species in nearshore food webs.