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Barramundi Cod
Chromileptes altivelis (Valenciennes, 1828)
A Barramundi Cod at a depth of 26m, wreck of the Yongala, off Townsville, Queensland, November 2001. View larger image.
A 15mm long larval Barramundi Cod from Lizard Island, Queensland, February, 2001. View larger image.
The Barramundi Cod is easily recognised by its concave dorsal head profile and the scattered black spots on its body and fins.
This species is often found in silty reef areas to a depth of at least 40m. Juveniles live in shallow water and are occasionally seen in rock pools at low tide.
The Barramundi Cod grows to 70cm in length. It occurs widely throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific.
In Australia it is found in tropical and subtropical waters. On the west coast adults are found as far south as Dirk Hartog Island, while on the east coast juveniles which come down with the East Australian current, are found as far south as Sydney.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
Further reading
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Paxton, J.R., D.F. Hoese, G.R. Allen & J.E. Hanley. 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol.7 Pisces Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra: Australian Biological Resources Survey. Pp. i-xii, 1-665.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
