Trout Cod - Definition and Overview

The Trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis) is a freshwater fish found in southeastern Australia. It is also called the blue nose cod and the rock cod. It is neither a true trout nor a true cod, but a member of the order Perciformes.

The Trout Cod may grow up to 80 cm and 16 kg. It is very similar in appearance to the Murray Cod, M. peelii. It is generally blue-grey to dark brown on the back with a speckled pattern of dark grey to black spots. They are often found close to cover and in relatively fast currents,near deep riverbanks. They eat mainly on other fishes as well as crustaceans and aquatic insects. Trout cod reach sexual maturity at 3-5 years. Trout Cod were once abundant, but are now gravely threated by overfishing and environmental factors. The species is now totally protected.