Trout Cod

Apperance
It is often mistaken for a Murray Cod however it has a few distinct features, they have a horizontal dark stripe through their eye, they are spotted rather than mottled and their upper jaw overhands the lower jaw, whereas the Murray Cod’s lower jaw is either equal or protruding.

Weight
The maximum weight of the Trout Cod is 16 kg. It is commonly 1.5kg.

Length
The maximum lenght of the trout cod is 80cm and average lenght of 350mm.

Habitat
Occurs from riffle and boulder areas in relatively small upland streams to larger deeper rivers with sand and clay substrates and submerged timber. It is found in still and fast-flowing waters between 14 and 28 degrees Celsuis. The large fish are confined to deep holes between falls and rapids.

Eating and Diet Habits
The Trout Cod Feeds on insects, crayfish, shrimp, and small fishes.

Predators
It is a main source for fisherman and many other predators.

Breeding Habits
Trout cod will not spawn in earthen ponds in captivity.  Believed to spawn about two weeks earlier than Murray cod when present in the same waters which is spring and early summer.  Has been known to hybridise with Murray cod in the wild but this is very unusual.  The progeny of such a cross are of unknown reproductive viability.

Locations
The Trout Cod occurs in the Murray River from Yarrawonga downstream to the Barmah Forest and a translocated population in Seven Creeks near Euroa in Victoria.

Numbers
There are approximately 200 left in the world.

Problems

•  It was once caught for by fishermen and even though it is illegal to catch them now people may still catch them accidentely as they look just like a Murray Cod.
• They will not spawn in captivity.
• When they are caught and known to be a trout cod they may not be released correclty and die.
• They were probably affected by disease in the river from dumping of pollution in the water or dead animals.
• Daming of rivers for agriculture may have had a big affect on the species.

Solutions

• It is illegal to catch Trout Cod.
• Reintroduce the Trout Cod into many rivers.
• Research for successful breeding.
• When fishing in waters where Trout Cod are known to be present it is important to employ correct catch and release methods to any Trout Cod caught by accident.
• When there is an increases population of Trout Cod returned to the rivers where they once floourished, anglers would one day be able to be able to fish for Trout Cod on a catch and release basis.
• Erosion control.
• Water qaulity management and testing.
• Reserves to protect them.
• No fishing in parts where the Trout Cod are mainly.
• No fishing in the areas they exist when they are in breeding season.
• Rehabilation of habitat and reflow some water into old rivers that are dried up.