Editing Small-headed cod

{{Short description|Species of fish}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Small-headed cod
| image = Lepidion microcephalus (Small-headed cod).gif
| image_caption = Drawing by Tony Ayling 
| taxon = Lepidion microcephalus
| authority = [[T. Rex Cowper|Cowper]], 1956
}}
The '''small-headed cod''' ('''''Lepidion microcephalus''''') or the '''long-finned cod''' is a deepwater [[fish]] belonging to the morid cod family ([[Moridae]]), and related to the true [[cod]]s (genus ''Gadus'').  It is found in the [[Tasman Sea]], including the [[Bass Strait]]. It is commercially harvested by both [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]. It has been found on the [[continental shelf]], but typically its depth range is from {{convert|750|to|1000|m|ft|abbr=on}}. It grows to  {{convert|48|cm|in}} in [[fish measurement|total length]].

The second common name is because its first [[dorsal fin]] is made up of long, filamentous rays.  The [[pelvic fin]] is long, thin, and scythe-like, and it has a pronounced chin [[barbel (anatomy)|barbel]].

The colour is grey-brown with a faint red tint on the body and black-edged median fins.

==References==
* {{ITIS |id=550831 |taxon=Lepidion microcephalus |accessdate=19 March 2006}}
* {{FishBase|genus=Lepidion|species=microcephalus|year=2005|month=November}}
* Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, ''Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand'',  (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) {{ISBN|0-00-216987-8}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2364795}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Small-headed cod}}
[[Category:Moridae|small-headed cod]]
[[Category:Fish of Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Marine fish of Tasmania]]
[[Category:Marine fish of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Fish described in 1956|small-headed cod]]


{{Gadiformes-stub}}