codling

Codling is a common name for a juvenile cod, the young stage of codfish in the family Gadidae, especially Gadus morhua (Atlantic cod). The term can also be used more broadly for young individuals of related gadid species.

Juvenile cod inhabit nearshore and estuarine environments where food is plentiful. They are typically small, elongated fish with mottled coloration that provides camouflage against the seafloor. As they grow, they move into deeper coastal waters and, eventually, offshore areas.

Reproduction occurs yearly in many cod stocks, with females releasing large numbers of eggs in winter or early spring. The eggs hatch into free-swimming larvae, which later become juveniles (codling) before reaching full adulthood. Growth rate and age at maturity vary by stock and region.

Cod populations have been affected by intensive fishing, habitat degradation, and climate factors. In many regions, management measures such as catch limits, quotas, seasonal closures, and protected areas aim to rebuild stocks and maintain sustainable fisheries.

The word codling derives from the English word cod with the diminutive suffix -ling. In modern usage, codling primarily appears in fisheries and biological contexts rather than everyday culinary reference.