Eastern Freshwater Cod - Appearance and Size

Appearance and Size

Eastern freshwater cod have been recorded to 41 kg, but are more common at sizes less than 5 kg. Eastern freshwater cod are a small to medium sized groper-like fish with a deep, elongated body that is round in cross section. They have a broad, scooped head, and a large mouth lined with pads of very small needle-like teeth. The jaws are equal or the lower jaw protrudes slightly. Their eyes are slightly larger and more prominent than in Murray cod.

In eastern freshwater cod the spiny dorsal fin is moderate in height and is partially separated by a notch from the high, rounded soft dorsal fin. Soft dorsal, anal and caudal (tail) fins are all large and rounded, and are dusky grey or black with distinct white edges. The large, rounded pectoral fins are usually similar in colour to flanks. The pelvic fins are large and angular, set forward of the pectoral fins, and are usually a translucent greyish-white colour, tending toward opacity in large fish. The leading greyish-white coloured rays on the pelvic fins split into two trailing filaments. These filaments are significantly longer than in Murray cod.

Eastern freshwater cod are vary from cream or greyish-white to yellow on their ventral (“belly”) surface. Their back and flanks are usually an intense yellow or gold in colour, overlain with a dense pattern of black to very dark green mottling. The effect is a marbled appearance sometimes reminiscent of a leopard's markings. Colouration does vary considerably however and eastern freshwater cod from dark, heavily shaded habitats can be very dark or almost black in colour.