Common ling
Large cod-like fish of the North Atlantic
The common ling is a large, deep-water fish found in the northern Atlantic and Mediterranean. It supports commercial fisheries but faces sustainability concerns due to trawling methods and limited population data.
- Can reach lengths of 200 cm and weights of 30 kg
- Spawns between March and July in deep water
- Salted roe is a delicacy in Spain
- Listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN
- Swim bladder damage prevents safe release by anglers
What it is
The common ling is a large member of the cod family, distinguished by its slender body and single chin barbel. It has a small head with large teeth and an upper jaw that extends beyond the lower one. Two dorsal fins run along its back, the first short and rounded, the second long and uniform. The anal fin mirrors this length. Its colour ranges from marbled greenish-brown on top to lighter shades below, with white edges on the fins and dark spots near their ends. Juveniles often show pale purplish lines.
Where it lives
This species inhabits the eastern coast of Canada, southern Greenland, Iceland, and the northeastern Atlantic. Its range extends from the Barents Sea down past the United Kingdom, France, and Portugal to the Straits of Gibraltar. It enters the northwestern Mediterranean but remains rare there and in the North Sea. Ling prefer rocky seabeds at depths between 15 and 600 metres, though they are most frequently found between 100 and 400 metres.
How it lives
Young ling live in coastal waters before moving to deeper zones as they mature. Adults are mostly solitary and hide among rocks or wrecks, though they swim freely in deep water. They feed primarily on other fish such as herring and cod, but also consume lobsters, squid, and starfish. Growth is rapid, with individuals adding up to ten centimetres per year. Females grow faster and live longer than males, reaching sexual maturity at five or six years of age.
Breeding and life cycle
Spawning occurs from March to July in specific deep-water areas. Major sites include the Bay of Biscay, the Norwegian Sea, and off southern Iceland. Females release millions of pelagic eggs into the water column. Larvae drift in the open ocean before settling. A single female can carry between 20 and 60 million eggs during the breeding season. This high fecundity helps sustain the population despite heavy fishing pressure in some regions.
Fish and people
Ling is valued as food, sold fresh, frozen, dried, or salted. In Spain, its salted roe is a delicacy known as huevas de maruca. It is also used for fishmeal and lutefisk. Commercial fleets target it with trawls and long lines. Sport anglers catch them on rod and line, but rapid pressure changes damage their swim bladders, making release fatal. Conservation groups advise avoiding trawl-caught ling due to sustainability doubts.
Status and threats
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the common ling as Data Deficient. There is insufficient information on population size or trends to assess its risk accurately. While stocks appear reasonable in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean population may be marginal. The Marine Conservation Society recommends avoiding this fish because it is often caught by bottom trawling, which can harm seabed habitats. Total catches reported in 1999 exceeded 53,000 tonnes.
Questions people ask about Common ling
Is the common ling safe to eat?
Yes, it is edible and marketed fresh, frozen, dried, or salted. However, conservation groups advise consumers to avoid it because it is often caught using bottom trawls, which raise sustainability concerns.
How big does a common ling get?
It is one of the largest cod-like fish, reaching up to 200 centimetres in length and weighing as much as 30 kilograms. Females generally grow larger and live longer than males.
Where can I find common ling?
They live in the North Atlantic, from Canada and Greenland to Europe and the Mediterranean. They prefer deep, rocky habitats between 100 and 400 metres depth, though juveniles stay in shallower coastal waters.
Why should anglers not release caught ling?
Ling are deep-water fish. Bringing them to the surface causes severe damage to their swim bladders due to pressure changes. Returning them to the sea is usually fatal, so anglers should keep only what they need.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Common ling", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
Like Common ling
All cods and hakes
WorldHake
Commercially important gadiform fish found in deep ocean waters worldwide.Cod · Open ocean
🇦🇷 Argentina and 1 moreArgentine hake
Commercial hake species from the southwest Atlantic.Cod · Coasts and shelves · 1933
