The main range is the northern and north-western Atlantic Ocean. The preferred temperature range is between 0 and 10 degrees Celsius. It is sedentary at depths of 20 to 500 m, with little or no approach to shore. Prefers hard substrates. The body is elongated, covered with fine light yellow scales, darkening to the tail. The only dorsal fin runs down the back of the entire body, passing into a rounded caudal fin. A chin barbel is present on the lower lip. The maximum body length is 170 cm with a weight of 30 kg.