(Vingsand - Sør-Trøndelag / 4 meters / 05.19.2002)

Phylum: Chordata

Superclass: Gnathostomata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Gadiformes

Family: Gadidae

Scientific name: Pollachius virens

 

Norwegian: sei

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Distribution: The saithe (also known as coley) is widely distributed across the Atlantic ocean and is very common along the entire Norwegian coast. Still it is not easy to get a decent close-up of a saithe, as it is most often seen in shoals overtaking clumsy divers in high speed. Occasionally you may surprise one sleeping on the bottom during night dives, but it is more common to encounter the pollack like this.

Characteristics: The saithe is best distinguished from the pollack by the straight lateral line. Both have three dorsal fins and two anal fins. It can grow to a length of 120 cm and 21 kg. Some reach an age of 30.

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