There are about thirty thousand different species of fish in the sea and most of them are not even discovered yet. Fishes have gills present on either side of their bodies that they use to breathe.
Most of the fishes in the sea do not have eyelids, the only fish which can blink is the shark.
These varieties can live in lakes, cold waters, rivers, or even streams. All of them have different sizes, some are huge, some are tiny, and this depends on the specie of the fish.
Talking about this, there are tons of species that people will come across but there are also some that are quite popular.
When it comes to this, you will notice that Alaskan white fish and Pacific cod are two varieties that people often ask questions about.
This is because both of these are popular species that are caught all around the world. Though, the main issue with them is how similar the varieties look.
You will notice people getting confused between them all the time which is why going through this article should help them out.
We will be providing you with a comparison that can be used to get all the information required regarding these varieties so that you can easily tell them apart.
Alaskan White Fish vs Pacific Cod Fish
| Type Of Fish | Alaskan White Fish | Pacific Cod Fish |
| Color Of Fish | Black and Yellow Spots | Brown/Grayish With Dark Spots |
| Fins Of Fish | Defined Fins | White Around Edges |
| Tail Of Fish | Narrower Tail | Wider Tail |
| Life Span Of Fish | Up to 12 Years | 18 to 20 Years |
| Reproduction Age | Between 3 to 4 Years | Between 4 to 5 Years |
Alaskan White Fish
The Alaskan white fish or also sometimes known as Alaska whitefish or even simply whitefish is a well-known species from the Salmonidae family.
The variety is found in different parts of America where you will mostly notice them roaming around in large rivers and bodies of water.
While finding the variety inside lakes is possible, this can be quite rare in most cases. You should note that this is one of the most hunted varieties because of its delicious taste.
However, when it comes to this, there are tons of other factors that should be kept in mind.
People need to understand that the taste of Alaskan whitefish is usually quite mild when compared to other varieties.
This makes the meat stand out, but it is often disliked by people because of its lack of flavor. You should note that this can be easily fixed by changing your method of cooking.
When preparing Alaskan whitefish, it should be noted that the meat is super versatile.
This makes the fillets some of the best seafood items that you can go with as the meat can be prepared using different techniques. Depending on which one you choose, the taste will vary greatly.
This can be amazing as you get to mess around with different recipes before deciding on one.
Now that you understand this, another thing to note is that people also often go with other varieties instead of the Alaskan white fish. The most common alternatives that you will notice include cod and halibut.
When simply looking at the characteristics of this variety, you should note that these fish come with black and yellow spots spread across their body.
These make them stand out and allow people to easily distinguish them from other varieties.
Though, if you are still confused then try observing the fins on these fish. These should also have a detailed color on them when compared to other similar varieties like cod fish.
The narrow tail is another factor that makes the variety stand out from species like halibut.
Cod Fish
Cod is the common name used for demersal fish from the genus Gadus.
All of these fish belong to the family Gadidae which is known for its mild meat. You should note that the name is also often used to describe other similar varieties that might not even be cod in some cases.
When it comes to this, people also often refer to Alaskan whitefish as cod. This is the main reason why people get confused between these two varieties.
Talking about this, you should note that there are tons of similarities between these fish but there are also some differences.
As long as you keep these in mind, it should be much easier for you to understand how these varieties can be distinguished.
Starting, you need to understand that the color of cod fish is usually grey or brownish. Even the color of spots is much darker in comparison to Alaskan whitefish.
The tail on this variety is usually wider which makes it easier for people to tell these apart when viewed side-by-side.
Telling the varieties apart is only difficult in the beginning. This is because people are looking at the species for the first time.
Although, as you keep on catching the same fish, again and again, telling them apart should become a lot easier.
Most users should be able to tell these fish apart at a single glance once they have enough practice. However, before this happens, you should keep the steps mentioned above in mind.
When it comes to the taste of these varieties, you should note that cod is usually said to be a lot better.
Though both species have a mild taste that can be difficult to tell apart. The only case where cod fish will taste better is if you somehow catch a variety that is large and healthy.
If the cod fish caught is too small, then its taste will lack flavor just like Alaskan white fish.
Luckily, you can fix this easily by adding seasoning and sauces to your dish. With that being said, both varieties are generally good options as they are rich in nutrients.
Adding either one of them to your diet can be beneficial for your health as they have tons of protein and low fat.
The content of minerals and vitamins is also a lot higher when compared to other similar varieties.