Micromesistius

a genus of marine fishes of the family Gadidae. There are three dorsal fins and two anal fins. The lower jaw juts forward, and there are no barbels on the chin. The coloration is silver, except for the top of the body, which is darker, of a grayish violet hue. There are two species, each found in polar regions. M. poutassou is distributed in the North Atlantic (from Morocco to Spitsbergen), and M. australis is found from the southern shores of Argentina and Chile southward (during summer migrations) to Antarctica. M. australis was also recently observed off New Zealand. M. poutassou may reach a length of 46 cm, and M. australis 65 cm. There are pelagic forms. Both species feed on small fish and crustaceans. They are commercially valuable. Their taste is similar to that of hake, and the liver is rich in fat and vitamins A and D.