Black Cod vs Cod - Which one is good for your health?

It is often difficult for people to distinguish Black Cod vs Cod. You may have heard about this fish in your anglers or foodies community. This term might be familiar for you if you are a huge fan of cod fish.

Boomers have known it as sablefish. But those who know it as black fish often consider it as the same as the original. In reality, black cod is not a cod. We are going to discuss their differences through several traits such as appearance, habitat, etc.

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Similarities Black Cod and Cod

Both Black Cod vs Cod look and act a lot alike. When the fish are brought to the surface of the Pacific Ocean from the depths, they may appear the same. At a glance, most anglers would agree that they are the same thing.

Those fish types are actually different.

One of the two “common” species is Pacific type and the other one is Atlantic type. Pacific cod can be found in both freshwater and water that is a little salty. People often mistake them for each other because they live in so much of the same place.

As mentioned, people sometimes call the latter type of fish “Sablefish.” This fish is part of a different kind of family.

Differences Black Cod vs Cod

If you haven’t seen Alaskan black cod before, you might not know what to expect, there are big differences between it and the cod in appearance, flavor, and where the food came from. All of these things are there for good reasons. It doesn’t matter that they both have the same name. They are different.

Appearance

A close look at black fish and cod might show that they look a lot alike.

They look almost black in color, with a dark gray-black tone. They have two small dorsal fins as well as a thin lateral line.

Black Cod.

Pacific fish types are a darker brown color than other species. They have black markings on all parts of their bodies.

It is true that they are the smallest kind of fish. All three dorsal fins, a barbel on the chin, and a bright lateral line on the flanks are unique to this species of fish.

Meanwhile, sablefish are similar to salmon in size. They have greenish or dark grey. skin.

Size

Cod tends to be bigger and stronger than black cod, even though they are both about the same size. They can grow up to 47 inches long, but they can also be very small. Most of the time, pacific species only grow to 10 pounds.

Lifespan between

The lifespan of each species is a big part of who they are. Sablefish can live for up to 90 years, but the other one can only live for 12 years. At this point, it wins the showdown.

Anatomy

In some species, Pacific cod can grow to about 50 inches long and weigh as much as 50 pounds. Black cod, on the other hand, are shorter and weigh less. They can grow up to 36 inches long and weigh up to 55 pounds.

It is the color of the fish that is the most noticeable physical difference between the two species of fish. The pacific creature has light gray with brown flecks on top. On the other side, a black fish has greenish-black color from the tip to the tail.

Habitat and Distribution

The living space of Black Cod vs Cod is also different.

As the name suggests, Pacific cod can be found at depths of up to 3,000 feet in the Pacific Ocean. It runs from Japan to Alaska and Canada in the northern Pacific. They have a wide range.

Cod fish

Atlantic cod can be found on both of the Atlantic coasts of the United States.

How to catch Black Cod vs Cod

The fishermen use a boat that is floating or tied to the ocean floor, as well as natural baits like live or dead fish, to catch most of these fishes. Anglers can also catch the fishes by jigging or by trolling in the deep sea. It’s important to use big hooks when fishing for them because they have big jaws. The bait doesn’t have to be big, either; a good-sized saltwater clam will work for almost any size of your catch. Squid, fish, crabs, sand eels, and capelin strip baits are all good baits, as well as a wide range of other things.

There are some times when artificial lures, like chrome diamond jigs, spinnerbait bucktail bait spoons and flashing metal fish can work well to draw fish in.

Taste

Both Black Cod vs Cod tastes like butter and is very smooth. This cod, which is white and flaky, is lighter than other fish. It tastes mild and is soft. As a result, both species are easy to find in their native habitats, so they can be caught at any time.

It can be seen in the video by Pacific Fisherman that the two fish have very different tastes. Cod is a common food item that has been processed, like fish sticks and hamburgers. Customers like this fish because it is gentle and appealing to a wide range of people.

Because sablefish has a richer taste, it’s also known as “the butterfish.” It’s not fishy at all. The fish is more likely to be a showpiece in the kitchen than its fish cousin. You will likely find this amazing starred menu in the fine dining experience.

Nutritional value

Both Black Cod vs Cod are high-end Japanese fish that are becoming more popular in the United States. In the waters off the coast of Alaska, there are a lot of big black fishes. They are also caught in a way that doesn’t harm the fish or the ocean. Because they have a lot of Omega-3s and tastes great, it’s a good choice for dinner.

Cod has omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins A, D, and E, and it also has a lot of other good things. A serving of it has 141 milligrams of Omega-3 fatty acids. It also only has 70 calories, which is very low. It also has no fat, no cholesterol, and 15 grams of protein, it is a good source of protein.

Sablefish, which is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, also has vitamin B12, selenium, and a lot of other minerals in it. Because it has a lot of oil, it has a lot more calories and fat. This food has 1,543 mg of Omega-3s in each 3-ounce serving (210 calories).

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Black fish has a lot more fat than cod does. Having healthy fat is also good. Both fishes have omega-3 fatty acids, which our bodies can’t make on their own.

Omega-3 fatty acids are very important because they help with a lot of healthy properties. Two things happen when omega-3 fatty acids are in your body: they lower cholesterol and keep your arteries healthy. DHA and EPA, two types of omega-3 fatty acids, have been linked to lower blood pressure and better blood vessel work.

It has eight times more omega-3 than its pacific counterpart. Hence, it has a big advantage over cod because it has a distinct health property from the fishes.

B Vitamins

Black Cod has more B vitamins than Cod. Thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, and B9 are also found in this food (folate).

It has a lot more magnesium than other fish, which is about twice as much as other fish. You might be able to sleep better if you take more magnesium. Use this food item to keep blood pressure stable.

Both blood vessels and muscles are soothed by magnesium. The experts showed that taking magnesium supplements can help lower blood pressure naturally. At this point, both fish types have the same property.

Calcium

In terms of calcium, black fish has twice as much as cod. The body needs calcium and magnesium to keep blood pressure in a healthy range and the heart in good shape, just like magnesium does. Calcium helps to keep blood pressure in check by controlling how quickly and slowly blood vessel muscles relax and tighten.

Cost

In general, black cod will cost about $20 per pound, but this can change based on where it comes from and when it was caught.

Cod, on the other side, costs around $1.5 per pound. You can see the huge difference here. If you want to save more money, cod is definitely a go.

Sustainability

Talking about the Black Cod vs Cod sustainability, there is an interesting story to tell you. In today’s food world, black cod is a popular choice, but it had another story that not many people knew.

During the 1800s, most Halibut fishermen left this fish behind as bycatch. However, it wasn’t until the Sablefish was renamed to as “Black Cod” that it became a hit.

Fishermen, chefs, and diners quickly fell in love with this fish because of its buttery taste and velvety texture. There are many things you can do with it when it comes to cooking it. You can grill it, roast it, broil it, steam it, poach it, and pan-sear it. One of the best ways to cook this tasty white fish is to smoke it.

This fish is one of the world’s most sought after fish is no surprise. Even though it is caught mostly in Canada and Alaska, Anchorage now has the most people in the world. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch has given this fish type a Green “Best Choice” rating because they are deep-water fish that are caught with longlines.

Cod Sustainability

MSC-certified cod is free of contaminants and has been checked for environmental effects. This certification comes from a fishery that has been independently checked to make sure it meets the MSC Fisheries Standard.

A lot of fishes were taken in 2019. This is below the “acceptable biological threshold,” which is how many tons of fish should be taken. Because of risks that there won’t be enough North Sea fish, the fish has been legally stripped of its blue tick designation.

Norwegian fisheries adhere to the regulatory chain to ensure that each stage of fishing is sustainable and safe. All sides are taking a conciliatory, inclusive approach to the process, ensuring the participation of all participants, from fishermen to government officials. Therefore, we are still enjoying this fish in both fresh, frozen, and canned products.

What’s Unique About Alaskan Black Cod?

Alaskan black fish are different from their southern-raised cousins because the waters in Alaska are very cold. The fat content rises due to the cold, giving the food a richer taste and more Omega-3 fatty acids. It’s also safe to say that Alaskan black cod is available in a way that doesn’t harm its environment. Other safeguards are in place to keep fish populations in the state healthy, preventing overfishing. With such number of fishes reserved, we could rely on the high quality Alaskan black fish offered in the marketplace.

Black Cod: Not Your Average Cod Dinner

Try something new by adding black cod to your grocery list. Using this fish instead of the commoner type is a great way to make a supper that everyone will enjoy.

They have a nutty taste, a soft texture, and a lot of oil. In the markets, the fish is often called “butterfish.” A lot of sauce goes into meat that’s big and white, so it soaks it up. You can cook the filets in many ways, like grilling, smoking, frying, or making sushi.

Folks can serve the fish as a main dish, with a variety of sauces, vegetables, and other side dishes next to it. You can put it on salads and sandwiches with ease.

You can have fun in the kitchen with this fish. Because the fish has a lot of fat and flesh. It marinates well and doesn’t dry out quickly when you cook it, which makes marinating a breeze. With acidic or salty tastes, it also goes well. There are tons of recipes you can find on the net to make the best fish fillet dish at home.

So, what do you think about Black Cod vs Cod? Who’s winning for your side? Let us know in the comment section below.