| Common ling | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Gadiformes |
| Family: | Lotidae |
| Genus: | Molva |
| Species: | M. molva |
| Binomial name | |
| Molva molva (Linnaeus, 1758) |
|
| Molva molva range map. | |
The common ling or simply the ling, Molva molva, is a large member of the cod family. An ocean fish whose habitat is in the Atlantic region and can be found around Iceland, Faroe Islands, British Isles, the Norse coast and occasionally around Newfoundland, the ling has a long slender body that can reach 2 metres in length; in adulthood, it is generally a deep-running fish, spending much of its life at depths of 100 m or more; younger fish are found at shallower depths.
The ling is edible; its flesh is prized and can be considered interchangeable with cod in either its fresh, salted or dried forms. The salted roe of the ling is considered a delicacy in Spain and is known as huevas de maruca. The lutefisk – ling that is first dried, then soaked in water and then steeped in a lye of soda and slaked lime – is a traditional dish at the Swedish Christmas table.
Specific seas of occurrence include the Norwegian Sea along the coastal shelves and in the Sea of the Hebrides, the latter where the species is abundant.[1]