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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Temperate

New Zealand blue cod

Parapercis colias Forster, 1801
Max Length
45 cm
Max Weight
2.5 kg
Lifespan
17 yrs
Trophic Level
3.9
Depth
52–150 m
Climate
Temperate
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
36.00/100
Typical Length
35 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

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 Ref. 58489.

Scientific Name
Parapercis colias
Authority
Forster, 1801
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Temperate
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
45 cm
Max Weight
2.5 kg
Lifespan
17 years
Depth Range
52–150 m
Trophic Level
3.9
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
36.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for New Zealand blue cod is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
14.5cm TL

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 52 - 150 m . Temperate; 34°S - 52°S, 163°E - 175°W Southwest Pacific: restricted to New Zealand.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Feeding Mode
Carnivore
Trophic Level
3.9±0.5
Food Items

small fish and crabs

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00851 × L3.13 (TL)
Max TL
45cm
Max Weight
2,500g

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2009

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
36.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.9
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Temperate
Described By
Forster, 1801

🎣 Angling Guide

Difficulty
Beginner
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Line Weight
15-30
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
Hook Size
2/0-5/0
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Techniques
bottom fishing popping cork soft plastics live bait
Bait & Lures
live shrimp cut mullet soft plastic paddle-tails popping corks
Recommended Tackle
  • medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
  • 30-50 lb braid
  • fluorocarbon leader
Where to Find Them
  • grass flats
  • oyster bars
  • marsh drains
  • deeper channel edges
Tips & Tricks
Popping cork technique attracts fish from distance. Fish moving tides.
Catch & Release Tips

Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.

Regulations Summary

⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"New Zealand blue cod is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 17.8 g
Omega-3 (total) 429 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for New Zealand blue cod has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 9 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for New Zealand blue cod ↗
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