Description: This small fish is a member of the cod family and so has the three dorsal fins typical of gadoids. The start of the first anal fin lines up with the gap between the first and second dorsal fins. They reach a maximum size of around 20 cm. They have a protruding upper jaw and a chin barbel, and are very similar in appearance to bib, with a metallic silver or coppery colour to the body, although they lack the distinctive banding usually visible on bib. They have relatively large eyes when compared to the size of their head and body.

Habitat: Between boulders or under overhangs on rocky reefs, boulder slopes or wrecks, or above mixed sediment, from around 10 m - 300 m.

Ecology: May be found in mixed groups with Trisopterus luscus.

Distribution: Found all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with bib (Trisopterus luscus) but T. minutus has a shallower body shape, is generally smaller in size and lacks banding. Close inspection of the start of the anal fin relative to the first and second dorsal fins can also help clarify.

Key Identification Features:

• Small gadoid with silver or coppery colouration and no banding.
• Chin barbel and overhanging upper jaw.
• Shallow body compared to bib.
• Start of first anal fin lines up with gap between first and second dorsal fin.
• Relatively large eyes.

Distribution Map from NBN: Trisopterus minutus at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Trisopterus minutus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Trisopterus minutus

WoRMS: Trisopterus minutus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Trisopterus minutus (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 126446.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Osteichthyes; Actinopterygii; Actinopteri; Teleostei; Gadiformes; Gadidae; Trisopterus