Tomcod - [Fearsome Critter]

Tom-Cod - [Fearsome Critter] - Aka: 'Cat-Fish', 'Meow-maid', etc

• About this Critter: An odd fish with the head and disposition of a feline. it lives in the San-Juan islands archipelago off the shore of Washington. - Tomcods do not bite hooks! - Although multiple methods where invented to capture them (including the use of trained Fish-Hounds.) - The most efficient (& arguably, most brutal/inhumane) method went as such: Lure them with a cream soaked sponge hooked on a ten-cent nail bent in the middle and tied on the end of a long silk cord, which, in turn is suspended from a bamboo pole. When the Tom-cod begins to suck this sponge, nine bullets must be immediately fired into the fish’s head, a machine gun is recommended; as if you miss even once, it will certainly get away! These fish are highly prized by fashionable New Yorkers, The largest toms bring in about $15 apiece. 

• History: This critter originates as one of "The Marvelous Critters of Puget Sound." a series of "utterly remarkable fish" that are supposedly local to the waters between Victoria Canada and Washington in the states. Originally published to the Seattle star during April of 1913, a few of them seem to be based on traditional fishing yarns, sayings & jokes that would be commonly shared between fishermen. – the article on the tom cod goes as such:

"STAR, IN ITS PISCATORIAL RESEARCH, NOW DISCOVERS THE TOM COD; YOU FISH FOR IT WITH SPONGE SOAKED IN CREAM"

"There’s a very odd kind of fish around the San Juan Islands. These fish are called tom cods because, although they have somewhat the appearance of a codfish, they really have the habits and instincts of a cat—and also a cat's head.    Tom cods won’t bite at a fishhook. Some fishermen say the best method is to train dogfish to catch them. Others declare that bullheads make the best catchers.    An Irishman, by the name of Ben Swansen, has had better success catching tom cods than any other fisherman on the islands. Swanson uses a ten-penny nail, bent in the middle and tied on the end of a long silk cord, which, in turn is suspended from a bamboo pole.    On the nail is fastened a small sponge soaked in cream. When the tom cod begins to suck this sponge, nine bullets must be immediately fired into the fish’s head. Two revolvers are sometimes found necessary for this operation unless a large magazine gun is used.    If only eight bullets take effect, the tom cod would still get away with one life left. This is generally a discouraging situation, but patience must be cultivated and marksmanship thoroughly mastered.    These fish are highly prized by fashionable New Yorkers and are served at nearly every exclusive luncheon on Fifth av. The largest toms bring about $15 apiece.

– BERNARD OZONE."

--Of course while to the untrained fishermen or marine biologist this is seemingly just a pun on "catfish" with maybe a bit of word fun word play on "tomcat" (it does have 9 lives afterall) those with knowledge of fishing would realize that it is ALSO a pun about an actual fish called the "Tomcod!"  that's right, its a rare double-fish-cat pun!!! – Tomcods are in fact the smallest in the cod family! - So no doubt Fishermen and who are familiar with the fish might have read this article and would probably have a reaction like; "wow, all that for such a scrawny fish?" – on the other paw, Cat lovers would no doubt delight at the adorable illustration but then grimace at the inhumane killing method described.

[a paper featuring an article picture about actual Tomcod.] - (Those in the know might realize that i colourized mine like as an Atlantic tom cod, rather than a Pacific tomcod. woopsie!.) 

Funnily enough, this wouldn't be the only time that 'Tomcods' (The actual fish, not the critter.) where compared to cats! – a 1895 news article 'Jigging for tomcods' - does just that! it explains the fishes peculiar behavior and their downfall; they seem to like to nuzzle against anything just like an affectionate kitten: – seems they really do behave like cats! at least in one way.

Though oddly, it does seems that that's not where they the Tomcod got its name from.  (After researching for a while, I cant seem to find an exact reason as to why they're named that! it also goes by the 'winterfish' or the 'icefish.')  - in theory; perhaps the Tomcod (the critter, not the actual fish.) could be a distant relative to the Merlion or perhaps the cougarfish? - But i digress, With a dogfish, and a catfish now under my belt i wonder what next, (a mouse-fish perhaps?) - (of course puns like these, likely go back to the beginning of time immemorial.)

[comical dog-fish, cat-fish (& sea-pigs!) argue and chase each other in a 1904 newspaper illustration by Walt Mcdougall]

See also: Fish-hound

[ArtSticker by SamKalensky part of my 'fearsome critters' collection of stickers follow & support for many more!]