Murray cod
Maccullochella peelii
Also known asGoodoo · Cod · Codfish
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 1000 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 45% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 1.20% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.60% of body weight
- Max density
- 30 g per litre
A 2500 g adult eats about 30.0 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~300 g daily.
Legality
Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | permit required | Aquaculture permit required; fingerlings from licensed hatcheries only verified 2026-05-13 |
| Victoria | permit required | verified 2026-05-13 |
| Queensland | permit required | verified 2026-05-13 |
Unlisted jurisdictions default to "check local regulations".
Origin and habitat
Native to the Murray-Darling River basin in southeastern Australia. The species (Maccullochella peelii) is Australia's largest exclusively freshwater fish, reaching 1.8 m and over 100 kg historically, though specimens over 20 kg are now rare in the wild due to decades of overfishing, habitat degradation, and river regulation. Murray cod inhabit deep pools, undercut banks, and log jams in large, slow-moving rivers. The flesh is white, firm, moist, and exceptionally well-flavored, widely regarded as the best-eating native freshwater fish in Australia. Wild populations are listed as vulnerable and protected in most jurisdictions, but aquaculture of Murray cod is an established and growing industry.
Climate and outdoor ponds
- Climate
- temperate (handles seasonal swings)
- USDA zones
- 6–10 (winter low around -23°C or warmer)
- Heating needed
- no
- Cooling needed
- no
Care notes
A premium warm-water aquaponics species for Australian operators willing to manage a slow-growing but exceptionally high-value fish. Optimal temperature is 20–26°C, with a tolerated range of 4–30°C. The broad thermal tolerance is a practical advantage over barramundi (which dies below 15°C) and means Murray cod survive Australian winters in most mainland locations without supplemental heating. Growth is slow by aquaculture standards: 500–1 g in 18-24 months, reaching 2–5 kg in 3-5 years. FCR on high-protein pellet (45-50% protein) is 1.3-1.8, which is efficient for a predatory species. Stocking density should be low to moderate (8-15 g/L) because Murray cod are territorial ambush predators that become aggressive and cannibalistic at higher densities. Strict size-grading is essential: fish differing by more than 30% in body length must be separated, because larger individuals will eat smaller ones. The slow growth rate is compensated by exceptional flesh quality and strong market demand: Murray cod commands $25-50/kg in Australian restaurants and retailers, making it one of the highest-value freshwater species available. Fingerlings are available from specialized hatcheries across southeastern Australia, primarily in New South Wales and Victoria. Legal to culture in most eastern Australian states, though some jurisdictions require aquaculture permits. Water quality: DO above 5 mg/L, ammonia below 1 mg/L, pH 6.5-8.0. Murray cod is best suited for experienced aquaponics operators running larger systems who can commit to a multi-year production cycle.