DORSAL FIN:
Summary: Dorsal fin base long, extending almost the length of the back. Dorsal fin divided
into 3 well-separated parts (forming separte fins), bearing about 14, 21 and 19 rays respectively.
First dorsal fin originating posterior to head (predorsal distance less than about one-third of total
length), its height about one-half of head length; third dorsal originating far posterior to the level of the
vent. No spinous rays present.
Literature: Jordan and Evermann 1898:
Reference to family Gadidae: Page 2531 (text) - "...no spines, the fin rays all articulated.
Dorsal fin extending almost the length of the back, forming 1, 2 or 3 fins..."
Reference to genus Gadus: Page 2531 (key) - "...dorsal fin divided into 3."
Page 2540 (text) - "Dorsal fins 3, well separated..." Reference to Gadus morhua (as Gadus callarias):
Page 2541 (text) - "D. 14-21-19..." "First dorsal little elevated, its height about 1/2 length of head..."
Eschmeyer and Herald 1983:
Reference to order Gadiformes: Page 96 (text) - "Their dorsal...fins are long and often
separated into 2 or 3 fins. No fin spines..." References to family Gadidae:
Page 97 (text) - "Our cods have 3 dorsal fins...some in other areas have 1 or 2 dorsal fins..." "No spinous fin rays"
Robins and Ray 1986: Reference to family Gadidae:
Page 92 (text) - "No fin spines." "Dorsal fin base long; either single or divided into 2 or 3 parts."
Reference to Gadus morhua:
Page 92 (text) - "...3 dorsal fins..." Cohen et al. 1990:
Reference to family Gadidae: Page 13 (key) - "Anterior dorsal fin originating at rear of or behind head,
not widely separate from following rays..."
Page 18 (text) - "Anterior dorsal fin originating at rear of or behind head..." Reference to subfamily Gadinae:
Page 3 (text) - "characterized by having three dorsal fins..." Reference to genus Gadus:
Page 20 (key) - "Dorsal fins 3, the last one originating far posterior to the level of the vent"
Page 41(text) - "Three dorsal fins ... all separate from each other..." References to Gadus morhua:
Page 41(key) - "Predorsal distance less than about one-third of total length."
Page 45 (text) - "Predorsal distance less than about 33% of length." Nelson 1994:
Reference to order Gadiformes:
Page 227 (text) - "...no true spines in the fins..." Reference to family Gadidae:
Page 237 (text) - "First dorsal fin posterior to head..." Reference to subfamily Gadinae: Page 237 (text) - "Three
dorsal fins..."