Micromesistius poutassou is a schooling commercial fish that lives in the North Atlantic Ocean at depths of 30 – 200 m. The body is elongated and covered with small, easily lost scales. Two medium-sized dorsal fins are separated with distinct intervals. Short pelvic fins grow in front of the pectorals. Its lateral line is straight, the jaw protrudes forward, the barbel on the chin is absent and its teeth are small. The back is bluish-gray, the sides are light silvery blue, and its belly is an off-white. The average body length of the fish is 25 – 40 cm but large specimens reach 50 – 55 cm.