These fish are dark gray above with silvery sides and a white underbody. They have a black lateral line and show no spots. A distinctive large black blotch, referred to as "the devil's thumbprint," is located behind and above their pectoral fins. Haddock, like cod, have three dorsal fins and two anal fins. With haddock, the first dorsal fin is visibly pointed. A small chin barbel can be found on their lower jaw and they have a shallowly forked tail fin.