Pseudophycis bachus (Forster, 1801)
Red codling
photo by SeaFIC

Family:  Moridae (Morid cods)
Max. size:  90 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 26 - 700 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: New Zealand and around Australia, at least from Sydney to Adelaide, and around Tasmania. Often confused with Pseudophycis barbata (Ref.9563).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. Nostrils anterior to eye by about one-third of snout length. Pyloric caeca 6 to 8. Color reddish pink becoming paler ventrally, vertical fins with dark margins; a dark black blotch on the pectoral fin base.
Biology:  Found usually on soft muddy or sandy bottoms. Also on rocky bottoms, in estuaries, bays and continental shelf (Ref. 9563). In New Zealand, most abundant in 200 to 300 m along the edge of the continental shelf. May be found at depths exceeding 700 m (Ref. 9258). Feeds primarily on fishes, cephalopods, crabs and other crustaceans. Utilized as frozen fillets as well as fish blocks; eaten steamed, fried, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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