Tusk are found from depths of 20 m to 1000 m, but mainly inhabit deep water from 150 to 450 m. It spawns from April to July. It is regarded as the 'odd fish out' in the gadoid family (the group of fish that includes cod and haddock) because of its solitary and sedentary nature. It grows slowly and can attain a length of 120 cm and weight of 30 kg. Males and females mature at about 50 cm and 8 to 10 years old. Maximum age is about 20 years. Tusk's life history traits are in line with other members of the gadoid family and suggest that it is less vulnerable to fishing mortality than typical deep-water species.