Scientific Name
Maccullochella peelii

Common Name
Murray cod

Biology
The Murray cod is one of the world's largest freshwater fish (Ref. 6390). They live in a wide range of habitats, from clear, rocky streams to slow flowing, turbid rivers and billabongs (Ref. 27498). They are generally found in waters to 5 m deep, in sheltered areas with cover from rocks, timber or overhanging banks. Adult fish are carnivorous, having a diet of invertebrates, fish, amphibians and occasionally reptiles, birds and aquatic mammals (Ref. 27498). The young feed on zooplankton. Spawning takes place from spring to early summer. Murray cod are territorial, their 'territory' associated with a specific hole, snag (large woody debris) or area of a river or lake (Ref. 27498). Juveniles may undertake migrations (Ref. 6390). Threatened due to over harvesting and habitat loss (Ref. 58490).

Classification

Classified By

Mitchell, 1838

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Temperate perches (Percichthyidae)

Distribution

Region

Oceania

Distribution

Oceania: throughout most of the Murray-Darling River system of South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, except for the upper reaches of the southern tributaries (Ref. 6390). Introduced into many lakes and dams throughout Victoria and New South Wales. Their abundance has been drastically reduced across their natural range and they are now considered rare in many Victorian tributaries (Ref. 27498).

Range

21°S - 37°S

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

5 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range ? - 5 m (Ref. 6390)

Trophic Level

4.15000009536743 s.e. 0.62 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

180 cm

Common Length

60.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5625 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (70 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=3-6; tmax=48)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Critically Endangered (CR) (C2a)