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Trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis) — Percichthyidae

Trout cod

Maccullochella macquariensis
VU · Vulnerable

The Trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Percichthyidae that grows up to 85 cm.

Length
85 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Crepuscular
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The trout cod is a large freshwater predator from the Murray-Darling basin in southeastern Australia. The species grows to about 85 cm and has an elongate, blue-grey to brownish body with fine dark speckling and a slightly projecting upper jaw. It stays by riffles, boulders and deep river stretches and hunts insects, freshwater crayfish, shrimp and fish; cannibalism also occurs. Owing to decline it is legally protected and capture is prohibited. The species is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Trout cod?

The Trout cod has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Trout cod live?

The Trout cod lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Trout cod get?

The Trout cod grows to a maximum of about 85 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Trout cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Trout cod is harmless to humans.

Is the Trout cod edible?

The Trout cod is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Forelkabeljauw verified
English name
Trout cod verified
Scientific name
Maccullochella macquariensis
Family
Percichthyidae
Other names
Blue nose; Bluenose; Bluenose cod; Murray cod; Rock cod verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
85.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Crepuscular sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vangst wettelijk verboden sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Maccullochella

More from the family Percichthyidae

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