{"product_id":"murray-cod-maccullochella-peelii","title":"Murray Cod | Maccullochella peelii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Murray Cod is Australia's largest freshwater fish and a true icon of our inland rivers. Mottled green and gold with a huge mouth and a gentle, curious nature in the tank, it is a magnificent display animal — but one that grows to a metre or more and can live for decades, so it demands a very large aquarium or pond and a serious long-term commitment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEndemic to the Murray–Darling river system of south-eastern Australia, Maccullochella peelii inhabits large, slow to moderately flowing rivers with deep holes, snags and submerged timber. It favours cooler, temperate water and shelters among structure, ambushing prey that passes by.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis heavy-bodied fish has a broad head, a large mouth and a distinctive mottled pattern of greens, yellows and creams that provides excellent camouflage among submerged timber. Juveniles are attractively marbled, and adults become massive, commonly reaching 80–100 cm and sometimes considerably more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMurray Cod are territorial, predatory ambush hunters and will eat any fish small enough to swallow. They are generally best kept as a single specimen, as they can be intolerant of others of their own kind. Any tank mates must be too large to be eaten and able to withstand a robust roommate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore. Offer quality sinking pellets suited to natives along with meaty foods such as prawns, yabbies, earthworms and pieces of fish. Feed juveniles more often and taper feeding as they grow; take care not to overfeed such a large, messy fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species needs a very large aquarium or pond — at least around 750 litres for a single fish and much more as it grows — with powerful filtration to cope with its heavy waste. Keep the water cool to temperate (below about 25 °C), well oxygenated and clean, with generous, regular water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the wild Murray Cod spawn in spring as water warms, laying adhesive eggs on submerged logs or hard surfaces which the male then guards. Breeding is achieved on aquaculture farms but is impractical in the home aquarium given the fish's size and space needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaccullochella peelii\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMurray Cod\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMurray–Darling system, south-eastern Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80–100 cm or more (can exceed 1 m)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–50 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTerritorial, predatory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate (very large size)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e750 litres (single, juvenile-to-adult); larger as it grows\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge aquarium or pond, 1,000 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore – native pellets, prawn, yabby, earthworm, fish pieces\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCool to temperate, below 25 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery large native aquariums or ponds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot typically planted – large fish may dislodge décor and plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest kept alone. If housed with others, only very large, robust native fish too big to be eaten, in an appropriately huge system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny fish small enough to swallow, other Murray Cod in insufficient space, and delicate or warm-water tropical species that cannot cope with cooler, temperate conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232769294627,"sku":"AA3026-S","price":16.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232769327395,"sku":"AA3026","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232769360163,"sku":"AA3026-L","price":26.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-100cm)","offer_id":55351954309411,"sku":"AA3026-XL","price":31.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/murray-cod-maccullochella-pe-43878518096163.webp?v=1790305551","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/murray-cod-maccullochella-peelii","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}