Bib

Trisopterus luscus (Latin pronunciation: [ˈtrisopterus ˈluskus]; most commonly known as pouting, but also called bib, pout whiting or pout) is a seafish belonging to the cod family (Gadidae).

Distribution

Pouting are found predominantly in European waters, especially around the south and west of the British Isles and in Scandinavian waters, although they can also be found in the Mediterranean and along the north African coast. They can be found across rocky and sandy seabeds with smaller specimens being found close to the shore and larger pouting moving further offshore. The greatest depths at which pouting can be found is 300 metres (980 ft). Pouting are generally a small fish, seldom exceeding 30 centimetres (12 in) in length, although rare specimens can reach almost double this length. Pouting can reproduce before they reach two years of age and grow rapidly, reaching around 15 centimetres (5.9 in) in length by the end of their first year. Pouting are a relatively short lived species, with the average lifespan thought to be around four years.

Behaviour

Pouting are scavengers which feed on the seabed. They forage for any food source they can find with marine worms, shellfish and dead fish all making up their diet. Due to their small size pouting are a source of prey for large species such as cod, bass and conger eels.