There are three recognized species in the cod genus Gadus: Atlantic cod, Pacific cod, and Alaska pollock. But if you mean the broader cod family, Gadidae, the reviewed listing contains 22 valid species. The everyday word “cod” can also be applied to unrelated fish, so there is no single number unless the classification is specified.
What counts as a “type” of codfish?
The answer depends on whether you mean a scientific genus, a broader biological family, or the everyday word cod. Fish sold or described as cod are not all the same taxonomic group.
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- Genus level: The reviewed taxonomy recognizes three accepted species in Gadus, the genus most precisely associated with true cod.
- Family level: The broader cod family, Gadidae, contains 22 valid species in the reviewed FishBase listing.
- Common-name level: The word “cod” is also used for some fish outside both Gadus and Gadidae, so an everyday count can be higher still.
So the clearest short answer is: there are three recognized species in the cod genus Gadus, but 22 valid species in the broader cod family Gadidae.
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The three species in the cod genus Gadus
These are the three species that should be included when the question means the genus Gadus. Scientific names are important here because common names vary by region, fishery, and market.
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| Common name | Scientific name | Main region | Useful distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic cod | Gadus morhua | North Atlantic | The classic North Atlantic cod, known for mild, large-flaked flesh |
| Pacific cod | Gadus macrocephalus | North Pacific | Also called Alaska cod or gray cod; generally moister and less firm than Atlantic cod when cooked |
| Alaska pollock | Gadus chalcogrammus | North Pacific | A member of Gadus in the reviewed taxonomy, although it is normally marketed as pollock rather than cod |
1. Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
Atlantic cod is the familiar cod of the North Atlantic. NOAA describes it as a cold-water, bottom-dwelling fish with a chin barbel and a prominent lateral line. In the Northwest Atlantic, its range extends from Greenland to Cape Hatteras.
As food, Atlantic cod has mild, large flakes and is often described as somewhat sweeter than Pacific cod. “Atlantic cod” identifies a particular species; it does not mean every cod caught in the Atlantic is automatically from the same stock or population.
2. Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus)
Pacific cod is the principal cod species of the North Pacific. It occurs from the Bering Sea and other North Pacific waters toward the Sea of Japan. Depending on the market, it may also be called Alaska cod, gray cod, or true cod.
Pacific cod has lean, flaky flesh. Compared with Atlantic cod, it is generally moister and less firm after cooking. Those culinary differences can matter when choosing a product, but texture alone is not a reliable way to identify a species.
3. Alaska pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus)
Alaska pollock is the surprising entry on the genus-level list. In the reviewed taxonomic listing, it is classified in Gadus, so it belongs in a strictly genus-based count of three species.
That does not mean consumers usually see it labeled “cod.” Alaska pollock is normally sold under its own common name, pollock. Therefore, two statements can both be accurate: Alaska pollock is a species of Gadus in the reviewed taxonomy, and a package labeled “cod” does not automatically contain Alaska pollock.
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Why do some sources give different numbers?
Different counts usually answer different questions. The main levels are:
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A genus is a scientific grouping of closely related species. The reviewed species listing supports these three accepted Gadus species:
- Gadus morhua — Atlantic cod
- Gadus macrocephalus — Pacific cod
- Gadus chalcogrammus — Alaska pollock
If someone asks for the number of “true cod” in the narrow genus-level sense used here, three is the appropriate answer.
Family: Gadidae
Gadidae is a larger biological group containing several genera, not just Gadus. The reviewed FishBase listing reports 22 valid species in the family. Its genera include Gadus, Arctogadus, Boreogadus, Eleginus, Gadiculus, Melanogrammus, Merlangius, Microgadus, Micromesistius, Pollachius, and Trisopterus.
That family-level total is not the same as saying there are 22 species officially called cod. It means the species belong to the wider cod family, which includes fish with different common names, such as pollocks, haddocks, and whitings.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCommon name: “cod”
Common names do not follow the boundaries of scientific classification. FAO notes that “cod” is applied to unrelated fishes in some parts of the world. A fish with cod in its market name may therefore be outside the genus Gadus and even outside Gadidae.
This is why counting every species whose common name contains “cod” produces a less stable answer. The result depends on the country, language, fish market, and naming convention being used.
Are Atlantic cod stocks separate species?
No. A fishery stock is a management unit, not automatically a separate biological species.
For example, the U.S. Atlantic cod management framework described in the research uses four stock units:
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Those units all concern Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua. They are used to manage fishing and conservation, not to add four species to the cod count. The framework is described as effective June 30, 2026. Older articles may refer to two U.S. Atlantic cod stocks, while the newer framework uses four units; that change concerns management boundaries, not taxonomy.
What about Greenland cod?
Older references may list Greenland cod as Gadus ogac. The reviewed World Register of Marine Species treatment places Gadus ogac under Gadus macrocephalus, rather than treating it as an additional accepted species in this count.
This is an example of why species totals should be dated and tied to a particular taxonomic authority. Historical names, revised classifications, and regional forms can make older lists look as though they contain extra species when they are actually using different names or taxonomic treatments.
How Atlantic and Pacific cod differ
The two species most often compared by consumers are Atlantic cod and Pacific cod.
| Feature | Atlantic cod | Pacific cod |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Gadus morhua | Gadus macrocephalus |
| Broad region | North Atlantic | North Pacific and Bering Sea region |
| Typical flesh description | Mild, large-flaked, somewhat sweeter | Lean and flaky; generally moister and less firm when cooked |
| Other names | Atlantic cod | Alaska cod, gray cod, or true cod |
If species identity matters, check the scientific name or a clear species label rather than relying only on the word “cod.” A label that identifies the fish as Atlantic or Pacific cod is more informative than a generic label.
A useful way to remember the answer
Use this three-part rule:
- Gadus means three in the reviewed genus-level count.
- Gadidae means 22 in the reviewed family-level listing.
- “Cod” in a common name is broader and less precise because it can include unrelated fish.
For readers interested in the fish’s history and cultural importance beyond its classification, cod history book is a natural next step; it should be treated as historical and cultural reading, not as a substitute for a current taxonomic database.
Final answer
If “codfish” means the true-cod genus Gadus, there are three recognized species: Atlantic cod, Pacific cod, and Alaska pollock. If it means the entire cod family Gadidae, the reviewed listing contains 22 valid species. If it means every fish that receives “cod” as part of a common or market name, there is no single worldwide total because the name is sometimes applied to unrelated fish.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sources and taxonomy note
The species descriptions and culinary distinctions are based on NOAA Fisheries profiles for Atlantic cod and Pacific cod. The genus and family counts are based on the reviewed taxonomic listings from WoRMS and FishBase. The broader warning about common-name usage follows FAO terminology guidance, and the stock-unit distinction follows the reviewed NOAA Atlantic cod management framework.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many true cod species are there?
How many true cod species are there?
Using the narrow genus-level definition, there are three recognized Gadus species: Atlantic cod, Pacific cod, and Alaska pollock.
Is Alaska pollock a cod?
Is Alaska pollock a cod?
Alaska pollock, Gadus chalcogrammus, is included in the reviewed genus-level taxonomy of Gadus. However, it is normally marketed as pollock, not cod.
Are the four U.S. Atlantic cod management units four species?
Are the four U.S. Atlantic cod management units four species?
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No. They are fishery-management units for one species, Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), not four separate species.
Is Greenland cod a separate species?
Is Greenland cod a separate species?
Older sources may call it Gadus ogac. The reviewed WoRMS treatment places that name under Gadus macrocephalus, so it is not counted as an additional accepted species here.
The Bottom Line
Short answer: There are three recognized species in the genus Gadus: Atlantic cod, Pacific cod, and Alaska pollock. The broader family Gadidae contains 22 valid species in the reviewed listing, while common-name usage can include unrelated fish.
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