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Thousands of thermometer-equipped North Atlantic Cod have helped scientists determine the exact preferred temperature of the fish, which traditionally have thought to thrive in colder waters. 

The researchers from several European universities, including the National Institute of Aquatic Research in Denmark (DTU Aqua), collected temperature statistics from over 2000 cod in eight regions of the North Atlantic and published it in an article titled “Marine Ecology Progress Series.”

"It's absolutely unique to have data from such a large and comprehensive study," says Professor Ken Haste Andersen, one of four DTU Aqua researchers who participated in the international project.

The cod were chosen to carry the high-tech thermometer transmitters because of its larger size, importance as a commercial product, and implications on its environment facing pressure from global warming. The results collected from more than 900 of the fish caught shows a great amount of variation in temperature- between 28 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. 

"Each fish stock in each area is well-adapted to the local conditions,” explains Professor Anderson. “It is widely known that cod can live in water at subzero temperatures, because they can produce antifreeze proteins which protects them.”