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Murray Cod

Murray Cod

Maccullochella peelii

Quick Facts

Scientific name Maccullochella peelii

Other names Codfish, East Coast Cod, Green Fish, Guduu, Mary River Cod, Murray Perch, Pondi, Queensland Freshwater Cod

Size Up to 1.83 m (6 ft)

Weight Up to 113 kg (249 lb)

Distribution

Habitat & AU Distribution Freshwater rivers, streams, lakes, dams & billabongs amongst wooden debris & other structure

Depth Range 1 - 10 m (33 ft)

Interesting Info

Murray Cod is a freshwater fish species native to Australia, particularly the Murray-Darling Basin, and one of the world’s largest predatory freshwater fish.
They have a distinctive appearance, with a broad head, large mouth, and scaleless body that is olive green to brown in colour, with a mottled pattern on its sides.
Murray Cod is an opportunistic predator, feeding on a variety of aquatic animals such as fish, crustaceans, and insects.
They are an important part of the freshwater ecosystem, helping control smaller fish species’ populations.
Murray Cod is known for its unique reproductive behaviour, with females laying their eggs on submerged logs or rocks and males guarding them until hatching.
They are opportunistic feeders, feeding on a variety of prey, including insects, crustaceans, molluscs, and small fish.
The species was once overfished and became endangered, but conservation efforts have helped to stabilise populations in recent years.
Murray Cod has a slow growth rate and can take several years to reach maturity, with females typically reaching maturity at around 4 to 5 years of age and males at 2 to 3 years of age.
Murray Cod have a lifespan between 30 to 35 years with the oldest recording being 48 years.

Species Interaction

Recreational Fishing

Murray Cod is a highly prized game fish due to its large size and challenging nature, which makes it a favourite among recreational anglers. However, it’s important to practice responsible fishing practices, such as catch-and-release and obeying fishing regulations, to ensure the sustainability of Murray Cod populations for future generations.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Percichthyidae

Genus: Maccullochella

Species: Maccullochella peelii

Conservation Status

The conservation status of Murray Cod is currently listed as ‘Least Concern’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, some populations of Murray Cod are considered to be at risk due to habitat loss, overfishing, and climate change.

Fish Taste Quality

Murray cod is considered to be a good table fish, with firm, white flesh that is low in fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids. It has a mild, sweet flavour and is suitable for a range of cooking methods, including grilling, baking, and frying.

Taste Rating: 3/5