New Zealand blue cod (Parapercis colias)

Scientific name: Parapercis colias Forster, 1801

The New Zealand blue cod (Parapercis colias) is a marine fish of the family Pinguipedidae. Native range: Southwest Pacific, restricted to New Zealand.

Biology

Inhabits rocky areas to a depth of 150 m. Carnivore which feeds mainly on small fish and crabs. Feeds by stalking its prey and swallowing it whole. Adults are home-ranging. Minimum depth reported taken from.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Parapercis colias
Family: Pinguipedidae (Sandperches)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 45.0
Common length: 35.0
Depth range: 52–150 m (171–492 ft)
Environment: Marine; demersal; depth range 52 - 150 m
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: Southwest Pacific: restricted to New Zealand.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.66; tm=2; tmax=17)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026