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Bastard red cod (Pseudophycis breviuscula) — Moridae

Bastard red cod

Pseudophycis breviuscula
Family: Moridae

The Bastard red cod (Pseudophycis breviuscula) is a saltwater fish of the family Moridae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–220.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The bastard red cod is a morid cod (Moridae) from coastal waters around New Zealand. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, red-brown body with a chin barbel and a two-part dorsal fin. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it shelters by day in crevices and caves of rocky reefs and hunts small crustaceans, worms and small fish at night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bastard red cod?

The Bastard red cod has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Bastard red cod live?

The Bastard red cod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

How big does the Bastard red cod get?

The Bastard red cod grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Bastard red cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Bastard red cod is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Bastard red cod edible?

The Bastard red cod is rarely eaten.

More photos

Bastard red cod (Pseudophycis breviuscula) — Moridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Vin Rushworth, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Bastard red cod (Pseudophycis breviuscula) — Moridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) shepfam, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bastard red cod (Pseudophycis breviuscula) — Moridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Luca Davenport-Thomas, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Bastard red cod (Pseudophycis breviuscula) — Moridae — 5
Finn, Julian (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NMV
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bastard red cod sourced
Scientific name
Pseudophycis breviuscula
Family
Moridae
Other names
Fork beard; Northern bastard cod; Northern bastard codling; Northern bastard red cod verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
220.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pseudophycis

More from the family Moridae

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