[5] The specific name eques means "knight", referring to the plume-like protuberance on its head; this is also reflected in the Icelandic name bláriddari and Danish name blå ridder, both meaning "blue knight.

"[6] The North Atlantic codling is pink-brown in colour with a blue tinge; albinos are common.

It has a lateral line with pit organs but no pores, and 8–13 pyloric caeca.

[1][3][10][11][12] The North Atlantic codling feeds on crustaceans and polychaetes.

[2] It usually swims close to sandy bottoms and exhibits station holding behavior.