Ontogeny of haemoglobin polymorphism in cod

Haemoglobins of 0-group cod from 30 to 150 mm length were analysed by agar gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing to identify the lower size limit for determination of the haemoglobin polymorphisms in cod; both the main system which has been known for more than 30 years and the recently described subgroups. The juvenile fish studied had higher concentration of the HbII-component (split into three bands at these fish sizes) compared to older fish. The main haemoglobin types could be distinguished clearly and reliably at a fish size of about 35 mm and above. The subgroups of the HbI-components, however, could not be identified reliably until the cod were about 80 mm.