Red codling (Pseudophycis bachus)

Scientific name: Pseudophycis bachus Forster, 1801

The Red codling (Pseudophycis bachus) is a marine fish of the family Moridae. Native range: Southwest Pacific, New Zealand and around Australia, at least from Sydney to Adelaide, and around Tasmania. Often confused with Pseudophycis barbata.

Biology

Found usually on soft muddy or sandy bottoms. Also on rocky bottoms, in estuaries, bays and continental shelf. In New Zealand, most abundant in 200 to 300 m along the edge of the continental shelf. May be found at depths exceeding 700 m. Feeds primarily on fishes, cephalopods, crabs and other crustaceans. Utilized as frozen fillets as well as fish blocks; eaten steamed, fried, microwaved and baked.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Pseudophycis bachus
Family: Moridae (Morid cods)
Order: Gadiformes (Cods)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 90.0
Common length: 55.0
Depth range: 26–700 m (85–2297 ft)
Environment: Marine; demersal; depth range 26 - 700 m, usually 200 - 300 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Southwest Pacific: New Zealand and around Australia, at least from Sydney to Adelaide, and around Tasmania. Often confused with Pseudophycis barbata.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.4(?); tm=4; Fec~1million)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026