Either of two commercially important North Atlantic species of food fish in the cod family (Gadidae). Pollachius (or Gadus) virens, called saithe or coalfish in Europe, is deep green with a pale belly. It has a small chin barbel (fleshy protuberance) and three dorsal and two anal fins. A carnivorous, lively, usually schooling fish, it grows to about 3.5 ft (1.1 m) long and weighs up to 35 lbs (16 kg). The other species, Theragra chalcogramma, or walleye pollack, closely resembles P. virens.
Learn more about pollack with a free trial on Britannica.com.