Coal-fish

Coal-fish (Gadus carbonarius), a species of cod, with black upper parts, common in northern seas. It occurs from 80° N. lat. to the Mediterranean, and is common off North American and British coasts. In Scotland it is often called Saith. It often measures 2 to 3 feet in length, and may be considerably larger; occurs in great shoals; is exceedingly voracious. Though decidedly coarse, its flesh is much eaten in northern parts. The young ones are often caught by boys fishing off the rocks, and are variously known as podleys, sillocks, cuddies, and coalseys. See COD.