Pseudophycis bachus
Red cod
Similar Species
Distribution
Temperate Australasia
Description
This species is now only known from New Zealand, with all Australian records now recognised as a new species P. palmata (the RLS database has yet to be updated to reflect this - the images on this page are P. palmata). Both are distinguished from the very similar P. barbata by a dark blotch at the base of the pectoral fin and a flatter rear margin of the tail. P. barbata lacks the black pectoral blotch and has a more rounded tail, and the very similar P. breviuscula does not grow bigger than 25 cm and has larger scales (so fewer scale rows between the lateral line and dorsal fin). Like other local cods, the flesh is soft and does not store well. The species is rarely seen or captured on line during the day as it largely moves about at night.
Information
Max Size: 90 cm
Sea Temperature Range: 9.6-21.2°C
Depth: 0-375m
Habitat Generalization Index: N/A
Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.
Conservation and Rarity
IUCN Status: Not Evaluated
Occurrence: Frequent (15.4% of sites)
Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed
Abundance: Solitary (1 per transect)
Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.
Edit by: Rick S-S and Graham Edgar