Atlantic Cod vs Red Lionfish
Gadus morhua compared with Pterois volitans
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Atlantic Cod | Red Lionfish |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gadus morhua | Pterois volitans |
| Order | Gadiformes | Scorpaeniformes |
| Family | Gadidae | Scorpaenidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Atlantic Cod | Red Lionfish |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 200.0 cm | 38.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 96.0 kg | 1.1 kg |
| Color | Brown to olive-green or grayish back densely speckled with small pale spots; pale lateral line clearly visible; belly white to cream; three distinct dorsal fins and two anal fins are yellowish-tan. | White to cream body with alternating bold reddish-brown and white vertical bands; fan-like pectoral fins are banded with red-brown and white spots; long dorsal spines are striped and venomous. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Atlantic Cod | Red Lionfish |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Saltwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 0-600m | 2-55m |
| Geographic Range | North Atlantic from the Labrador Sea and Grand Banks of Newfoundland east to Iceland, Norway, and the Barents Sea. Historically abundant on the Georges and … | Native to the Indo-Pacific from East Africa and the Red Sea to southern Japan, Australia, and the Marquesas. Invasive in the western Atlantic and Caribbean … |
| Habitat | Neritic, estuaries | Neritic, coral reefs |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Atlantic Cod | Red Lionfish |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | No |
| Fight Rating | — | — |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Atlantic Cod
Iconic mild white flesh, low fat, and a flaky texture; the backbone of fish-and-chips and salt cod traditions worldwide. Currently Vulnerable; sustainable sourcing is strongly recommended.
Red Lionfish
Sweet, buttery white flesh once spines are safely removed; increasingly promoted as a sustainable food source in Atlantic waters where it is an invasive species.
Species Overview
Atlantic Cod
The Atlantic cod is one of the most historically important commercial fish species. Its mild, flaky white flesh has been a staple food in Europe for centuries. Overfishing caused the collapse of the Grand Banks fishery in 1992.
Red Lionfish
The red lionfish is a venomous coral reef fish native to the Indo-Pacific. Its ornate, striped body and fan-like pectoral fins make it popular in aquariums, but it has become a destructive invasive species in the western Atlantic and Caribbean.