Murray Cod aquaculture

Murray cod produced by aquaculture

The techniques for large scale Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) fingerling production have been developed over the last 30 years, with fingerlings traditionally produced for restocking public and private waters.

In recent years there has been an increasing trend towards weaning and on-growing Murray cod commercially for human consumption, not just within Australia but also overseas.

Murray cod, by its nature being a large, aggressive, carnivorous, territorial species, would traditionally not be considered as an ideal aquaculture species. However, Murray cod has a number of attributes that make it suitable for aquaculture. These include:

• Breeds easily in captivity
• Readily accepts artificial feeds
• High rate of growth and production in aquaculture (2-600 grams in 6-14 months at 20-25°C)
• Reaches market size before maturing
• Hardy and adaptable to crowding (routinely cultured at 80-100 kg/m³)
• Highly valued species that is well-known in the markets.

The department has been at the forefront of Murray cod aquaculture research for many years. Some of our research and projects that feature Murray cod production include:

Genetics and reproduction technologies

• Develop, demonstrate and evaluate advanced genetic and reproduction technologies for the Victorian aquaculture sector, with a focus on Murray cod, to improve production efficiencies, add-value, and increase and retain market access.
• Facilitate industry practice change and investment in genetic biotechnologies through development and implementation of targeted 'route to market'/end-user and commercialisation strategies for project findings.

New products and ingredients (Bioactives)

• Identify and prospect opportunities for new products and ingredients (bioactives) in key Victoria's seafood resources. including initial screening of bioactive compounds in Murray cod,

Production systems

• Improve and increase on-farm hatchery and production output and efficiencies for Murray cod culture systems.
• Improve, demonstrate and promote integration of aquaculture production systems into existing agricultural farming landscapes.

Industry development

• Develop industry development plans and strategies for regional Victoria.

The Market and value chain development

• Provide strategic market information (access, issues, opportunities and challenges) for Victorian aquaculture products in key international markets.
• Investigate the competitiveness of selected Victorian aquaculture value chains in these key markets.
• Develop product differentiation strategies of selected aquaculture products in these markets.

Electronic reference documents

• A fish farmer's guide to maintaining healthy and happy Murray cod
• Best practice guidelines for weaning pond-reared Murray cod fingerlings onto an artificial diet
• Fish health management guidelines for farmed Murray cod
• Genetic and reproduction technologies for enhanced production of Murray cod
• Genetic technologies for the management of natural Murray cod populations
• High value aquaculture in sustainable rural landscapes
• Multi water-use in agricultural landscapes
• Murray cod aquaculture a potential industry for the new millennium

Previous research publication

Previous research publication produced by DEPI staff and collaborators on the subject of Murray cod aquaculture is provided below:

Anderson, T.A. & Gooley, G.J. (1992). Amino acids in the plasma of Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii, fed a variety of diets. In Proceedings of the Aquaculture Nutrition Workshop, Salamander Bay 15-17 April 1991 (Allan, G.L. & Dall, W. eds.), pp. 48-49. NSW Fisheries, Brackish Water Fish Culture Research Station, Salamander Bay.

Anon (2001). Preliminary Market Appraisal: Murray Cod Taste Testing for Asian Markets. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Box Hill, Victoria. 21 pp.

Bailey, M. (2008). Assessing feeding activity of Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii in cage systems. In Skretting Australasian Aquaculture. Innovation in a Global Market (3-6 August 2008, Brisbane).

Bailey, M.L., Abery, N.W., Bretherton, M.J., Hill, D.A.C. & Gooley, G.J. (2006). 'Open water' Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii production -a diversification opportunity for irrigated horticulture based on a multiple water-use approach. In Skretting Australasian Aquaculture. Innovation in Aquaculture (Adelaide, 27-30 August 2006).

Boreham, S., Ingram, B.A., Jones, P.L. & Collins, R.O. (2004). Water quality and intensive Murray cod aquaculture. In Development of Intensive Commercial Aquaculture Production Technology for Murray cod. Final Report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Project No. 1999/328). (Ingram, B.A. & De Silva, S.S. eds.), pp. 113-128. Primary Industries Research Victoria, DPI, Alexandra, Victoria, Australia.

Bravington, W., Mair, G. & Ingram, B.A. (2008). Triploid induction and hybridisation in Australian native fish: constraints and opportunities. In Skretting Australasian Aquaculture. Innovation in a Global Market (3-6 August 2008, Brisbane).

Bravington, W.J., Ingram, B.A., Daly, J. & Mair, G.C. (2006). Application of reproduction technologies to enhance aquaculture of Murray cod. In Skretting Australasian Aquaculture. Innovation in Aquaculture (Adelaide, 27-30 August 2006).

Cadwallader, P.L., Backhouse, G.N., Gooley, G.J. & Turner, J.A. (1979). New techniques for breeding and raising Murray cod. Australian Fisheries, 38(9), 9-16.Cadwallader, P.L. & Gooley, G.J. (1981). An evaluation of the use of the amphipod Austrochiltonia to control growth of Saprolegnia on the eggs of Murray codMaccullochella peelii

(Mitchell).Aquaculture,24, 187-190.

Cadwallader, P.L. & Gooley, G.J. (1985). Propagation and Rearing of Murray cod Maccullochella peeli at the Warmwater Fisheries Station Pilot Project Lake Charlegrark, Fisheries and Wildlife Service, Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Melbourne. 189 pp.

Clark, T.D., Ryan, T., Ingram, B.A., Woakes, A.J., Butler, P.J. & Frappell, P.B. (2005). Factorial aerobic scope is independent of temperature and primarily modulated by heart rate in exercising Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii). Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 78 (3), 347-355.

Daly, J., Galloway, D., Bravington, W., Holland, M. & Ingram, B. (2008). Cryopreservation of sperm from Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii ) and silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus). In Skretting Australasian Aquaculture. Innovation in a Global Market (3-6 August 2008, Brisbane).

De Silva, S.S., Gunasekera, R.M., Collins, R.A. & Ingram, B.A. (2002). Performance of juvenile Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii peelii (Mitchell), fed diets with different protein to energy ratio. Aquaculture Nutrition, 8, 79-85.

De Silva, S.S., Gunasekera, R.M., Collins, R.O., Abery, N., Ingram, B.A. & Gooley, G.J. (2004a). Murray cod nutrition. In Development of Intensive Commercial Aquaculture Production Technology for Murray cod. Final Report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Project No. 1999/328). (Ingram, B.A. & De Silva, S.S. eds.), pp. 67-111. Primary Industries Research Victoria, DPI, Alexandra, Victoria, Australia.

De Silva, S.S., Gunasekera, R.M. & Gooley, G. (2000). Digestibility and amino acid availability of three protein-rich ingredient-incorporated diets by Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii (Mitchell) and the Australian shortfin eel Anguilla australis Richardson. Aquaculture Research, 31, 195-205.

De Silva, S.S., Gunasekera, R.M. & Ingram, B.A. (2004b). Performance of intensively farmed Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii (Mitchell) fed newly formulated vs. currently used commercial diets, and a comparison of fillet composition of farmed and wild fish. Aquaculture Research, 35 (11), 1039-1052.

Douglas, J.W., Gooley, G.J., Ingram, B.A., Murray, N. & Brown, L.D. (1995). Natural hybridisation between Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii peelii (Mitchell), and trout cod Maccullochella macquariensis (Cuvier), (Percichthyidae), in the Murray River, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research, 46, 729-734.

Gooley, G. (2006). Productive use of saline water. Our Rural Landscape. Sustainable development through innovation. Technical Note 6. Department of Primary Industries, Melbourne. 2 pp.Gooley, G. & Bailey, M. (2006).Prospects for farming in large on-farm irrigation storage dams

. Our Rural Landscape. Sustainable development through innovation. Technical Note 5. Department of Primary Industries, Melbourne. 4 pp.

Gooley, G. & Rowland, S. (1993). Murray-darling Finfish: Current developments and commercial potential. Austasia Aquaculture, 7(3), 35-38.

Gooley, G.J. & Anderson, T.A. (1992). Growth and survival of intensively-reared juvenile Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii, fed on artificial diets. In Proceedings of the Aquaculture Nutrition Workshop, Salamander Bay, 15-17 April 1991 (Allan, G.L. & Dall, W. eds.), pp. 46-47. NSW Fisheries Brackish Water Fish Culture Research Station, Salamander bay.

Gooley, G.J., Anderson, T.A. & Appleford, P. (1995). Aspects of the reproductive cycle and gonadal development of Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii peelii (Mitchell) (Pisces: Percichthyidae), in Lake Charlegrark and adjacent farm ponds, Victoria, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research, 46, 723-728.

Gunasekera, R.M., De Silva, S.S., Collins, R.A., Gooley, G. & Ingram, B.A. (2000). Effect of dietary protein level on growth and food utilization in juvenile Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii (Mitchell). Aquaculture Research, 31 (2), 181-187.

Gunasekera, R.M., De Silva, S.S. & Ingram, B.A. (1999a). The amino acid profiles in developing eggs and larvae of the freshwater Percichthyid fishes, trout cod, Maccullochella macquariensis and Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii peelii. Aquatic Living Resources, 12 (4), 255-261.

Gunasekera, R.M., De Silva, S.S. & Ingram, B.A. (1999b). Early ontogeny-related changes of the fatty acid composition in the Percichthyid fishes trout cod, Maccullochella macquariensis and Murray cod, M. peelii peelii. Aquatic Living Resources, 12 (3), 219-227.

Gunasekera, R.M., Gooley, G.J. & De Silva, S.S. (1998). Characterisation of 'swollen yolk-sac syndrome' in the Australian freshwater fish Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii peelii, and associated nutritional implications for large scale aquaculture. Aquaculture, 169 (1-2), 69-85.

Gunasekera, R.M., Turoczy, N.J., De Silva, S.S., Gavine, F. & Gooley, G.J. (2002). An evaluation of the suitability of selected waste products in feeds for three fish species, based on similarity of chemical constituents. Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology, 11 (1), 57-78.

Ho, H.K., Rourke, M.L., Bravington, W., McPartlan, H. & Ingram, B.A. (2008). Genetic and reproduction technologies for enhanced aquaculture and fisheries management of Murray cod. Aquaculture Asia, 13 (1 (Jan-Mar)), 15-21.

Ingram, B.A. ed. (2000). Murray Cod Aquaculture A Potential Industry for the New Millennium. Proceedings of a Workshop (18th January 2000, Eildon, Vic.), Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute, Alexandra. 43 pp.

Ingram, B.A. (2004). Murray cod fingerling production and growout. In Development of Intensive Commercial Aquaculture Production Technology for Murray cod. Final Report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Project No. 1999/328). (Ingram, B.A. & De Silva, S.S. eds.), pp. 25-65. Primary Industries Research Victoria, DPI, Alexandra, Victoria, Australia.

Ingram, B.A. (2007). Genetic and reproduction technologies for enhanced production of Murray cod. Our Rural Landscape. Sustainable development through innovation. Technical Note 17. Department of Primary Industries, Melbourne. 4 pp.Ingram, B.A. & De Silva, S.S. eds. (2004a).Development of Intensive Commercial Aquaculture Production Technology for Murray cod. Final Report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Project No. 1999/328).

Primary Industries Research Victoria, DPI, Alexandra, Victoria, Australia. 202 pp.

Ingram, B.A. & De Silva, S.S. (2004b). Outcomes of the FRDC-funded Murray Cod Aquaculture Project (1999/328). In Development of Intensive Commercial Aquaculture Production Technology for Murray cod. Final Report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Project No. 1999/328). (Ingram, B.A. & De Silva, S.S. eds.), pp. 183-196. Primary Industries Research Victoria, DPI, Alexandra, Victoria, Australia.

Ingram, B.A. & De Silva, S.S. (2007). Diet composition and preference of juvenile Murray cod, trout cod and Macquarie perch (Percichthyidae) reared in fertilised earthen ponds. Aquaculture, 271 (1-4), 260-270.

Ingram, B.A., De Silva, S.S. & Gooley, G.J. (2004a). Industry development: a case study featuring Murray cod. In Australasian Aquaculture: Profiting from Sustainability (Sydney, 26-29 September 2004), pp. 166.

Ingram, B.A., De Silva, S.S. & Gooley, G.J. (2004b). Murray cod aquaculture. In Development of Intensive Commercial Aquaculture Production Technology for Murray cod. Final Report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Project No. 1999/328). (Ingram, B.A. & De Silva, S.S. eds.), pp. 1-14. Primary Industries Research Victoria, DPI, Alexandra, Victoria, Australia.

Ingram, B.A., De Silva, S.S. & Gooley, G.J. (2005a). The Australian Murray cod - A new candidate for intensive production systems. World Aquaculture, 36 (3), 37-43 and 69.

Ingram, B.A. & Gason, A.S.H. (1998). Improvements to pond management techniques to enhance production of juvenile Australian native fish. In Symposium on Water for Sustainable Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture, pp. 27-28. European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission, Praia do Carvoeiro, Portugal, 23-26 June 1998.

Ingram, B.A., Gavine, F. & Lawson, P. (2004c). Diseases and health management in intensive Murray cod aquaculture. In Development of Intensive Commercial Aquaculture Production Technology for Murray cod. Final Report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Project No. 1999/328). (Ingram, B.A. & De Silva, S.S. eds.), pp. 129-146. Primary Industries Research Victoria, DPI, Alexandra, Victoria, Australia.

Ingram, B.A., Gavine, F. & Lawson, P. (2005b). Fish Health Management Guidelines for Farmed Murray Cod. Fisheries Victoria, Technical Report Series No. 32, Alexandra, VIC. 56 pp.

Ingram, B.A., Gooley, G. & Larkin, B. (2008). Development of Open Water Murray cod Aquaculture in Victoria In Skretting Australasian Aquaculture. Innovation in a Global Market (3-6 August 2008, Brisbane).

Ingram, B.A. & Lawson, P. (2004). Murray cod aquaculture: Industry status. In Development of Intensive Commercial Aquaculture Production Technology for Murray cod. Final Report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Project No. 1999/328). (Ingram, B.A. & De Silva, S.S. eds.), pp. 15-23. Primary Industries Research Victoria, DPI, Alexandra, Victoria, Australia.

Ingram, B.A., McPartlan, H., Rourke, M., Bravington, W., Robinson, N. & Hayes, B. (2007). Genetic enhancement of Murray cod for aquaculture and conservation. Aquaculture, 272 (Suppl. 1), S271.

Ingram, B.A., McPartlan, H., Rourke, M., Bravington, W., Robinson, N., Nheu, J., H.K., H. & Hayes, B. (2006). Use of genetic and reproduction technologies to conserve and exploit valuable fish resources: a case study featuring Murray cod. In Skretting Australasian Aquaculture. Innovation in Aquaculture (Adelaide, 27-30 August 2006).

Ingram, B.A., Missen, R. & Dobson, J.L. (2001). Best Practice Guidelines for Weaning Pond-reared Murray Cod Fingerlings onto an Artificial Diet. Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute. Report No. 36, Alexandra. 7 pp.

Ingram, B.A., Rourke, M.L., Lade, J., Taylor, A.C. & Boyd, P. (2005c). Application of genetic and reproduction technologies to Murray cod for aquaculture and conservation. In Management of Murray cod in the Murray-Darling Basin. Statement, recommendations and supporting papers (Workshop held in Canberra, 3-4 June 2004) (Lintermans, M. & Phillips, B. eds.), pp. 107-109. Murray-Darling Basin Commission, Canberra.

Ingram, B.A., Rowland, S.J., Lade, J. & Rourke, M.L. (2005). Management of Australian freshwater cod Maccullochella spp. broodstock for aquaculture and conservation programs. In World Aquaculture 2005 (9-13 May 2005, Bali, Indonesia), pp. 271.

Lancaster, M.J., Williamson, M.M. & Schroen, C.J. (2003). Iridovirus-associated mortality in farmed Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii). Australian Veterinary Journal, 81 (10), 633-634.

Larkin, B., Ingram, B.A. & Stoney, K. (2004). Markets for Murray cod and an industry marketing plan. In Development of Intensive Commercial Aquaculture Production Technology for Murray cod. Final Report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Project No. 1999/328). (Ingram, B.A. & De Silva, S.S. eds.), pp. 147-165. Primary Industries Research Victoria, DPI, Alexandra, Victoria, Australia.

Newman, D., Jones, P. & Ingram, B. (2006). Effectiveness of ultrasonography for identifying sex and assessing maturational status of Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii. In Skretting Australasian Aquaculture. Innovation in Aquaculture (Adelaide, 27-30 August 2006).

Newman, D., Jones, P., Ingram, B. & Smith, B. (2007a). Effectiveness of phase-shifted photoperiod regimes for advancing the reproductive development of Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii and the independent contributive effects of constant and cycling temperature. In WAS Aquaculture 2007. Science for Sustainable Aquaculture San Antonio, Texas, USA (26 Feb. - 2 Mar. 2007).

Newman, D.M., Jones, P.L. & Ingram, B.A. (2007b). Temporal dynamics of oocyte development, plasma sex steroids and somatic energy reserves during seasonal ovarian maturation in captive Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii. Comparative Biochemistry & Physiology Part A, 148 (4), 876-887.

Newman, D.M., Jones, P.L. & Ingram, B.A. (2008a). Age-related changes in ovarian characteristics, plasma sex steroids and fertility during pubertal development in captive female Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - A Molecular and Integrative Physiology, 150 (4), 444-451.

Newman, D.M., Jones, P.L. & Ingram, B.A. (2008b). Sexing accuracy and indicators of maturation status in captive Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii using non-invasive ultrasonic imagery. Aquaculture, 279 (1-4), 113-119.

Philbey, A.W. & Ingram, B.A. (1991). Coccidiosis due to Goussia lomi (Protista: Apicomplexa) in aquarium-reared Murray cod, Maccullochella peeli (Mitchell), (Percichthyidae). Journal of Fish Diseases, 14, 237-242.

Rawlinson, P. (2004). The economics of partial and intensive Murray cod recirculation aquaculture systems. In Development of Intensive Commercial Aquaculture Production Technology for Murray cod. Final Report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Project No. 1999/328). (Ingram, B.A. & De Silva, S.S. eds.), pp. 167-181. Primary Industries Research Victoria, DPI, Alexandra, Victoria, Australia.

Rourke, M., McPartlan, H. & Ingram, B.A. (2007a). Genetic technologies for the management of natural Murray cod populations. Our Rural Landscape. Sustainable development through innovation. Technical Note 20. Department of Primary Industries, Melbourne. 4 pp.

Rourke, M., Nheu, J., Mountford, H., Lade, L., Ingram, B. & McPartlan, H. (2007b). Isolation and characterisation of 102 new microsatellite loci in Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii (Percichthyidae), and assessment of cross-amplification in thirteen Australian native and six introduced freshwater species. Molecular Ecology Notes, 7, 1258-1264.

Rourke, M., Robinson, N., Taylor, A., Lade, J. & Ingram, B.A. (2004). Use of microsatellite tests to evaluate genetic diversity in wild and captive Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii. In Australasian Aquaculture: Profiting from Sustainability (Sydney, 26-29 September 2004), pp. 256.
Rowland, S.J. & Ingram, B.A. (1991). Diseases of Australian native freshwater fishes with particular emphasis on the ectoparasitic and fungal diseases of Murray cod (Maccullochella peeli), golden perch (Macquaria ambigua) and silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus),NSW Fisheries, Sydney. 33 pp.