MARRAY COD FISH
ON THE VAST, FLAT PLAINS WEST OF THE GREAT DIVIDING RANGE, A SERIES OF CONNECTED RIVERS FORMS THE LARGEST DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN AUSTRALIA – THE MURRY – DARLING RIVER SYSTEM, AN AREA OF OVER A MILLION SUARE KILOMETRES.
An unusual feature of this river system is the small number of native species of fish found there – only about 28 species. Interestingly none are found anywhere else kin the world. Most fish in these rivers are generally sluggish and highly tolerant of the varying physical environmental conditions. Because they are mainly bottom dwellers, the logs, branches and tree litter in the rivers provide shelter from predators. This litter is an important component of the river environment as it supports an abundant variety of plank tonic plant and animal life.
MARRAY COD – (Maccullochella peeli)
The Murray Cod is Australia’s, and one of the world’s largest freshwater species. In the past, they have been known to grow to a size of 113.5 kg and 1.8 m in length, but a fish anywhere near that size would be rare today. Their preferred habitat is in or near deep holes containing shelter or cover such as rocks, logs or overhanging vegetation. They are the top predator in the inland rivers feeding on crustaceans and fish, both native and introduced. They spawn their sticky eggs onto a foxed object such as a log during spring and early summer once the water temperature reaches 20ºC. The male protects the eggs during incubation. The Murray Cod is a very territorial animal and, in captivity, needs its own space!
Thirteen million- year old fossils of this fish have been found in northern New South Wales and Aboriginal tribes living near the Murray Darling River system wove Dreamtime legends about this fish.
MARRAY COD –(Maccullochella mitchelli)
The trout cod is similar to the Murray cod but can be distinguished by color variation. It is usually a blue- grey color with dark grey to black spots, whereas the Murray cod id marbled in appearance. Because of declining numbers, the trout cod is protected by state laws. It is now found at only four locations.
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