Merlangius merlangus lives in the north-east Atlantic Ocean from the Barents Sea to Portugal. It occurs in the Aegean, Black Sea and Adriatic Sea. Generally lives at depths of 20 to 200 m, preferring muddy, gravelly-sandy or rocky substrates. The body is elongated, with a whitish belly and grey or grey-green back. The caudal fin is almost square. Body length is usually up to 30 – 35 cm. They can grow up to one meter in length with a weight of 5 kg.