Big dead Cod

[DanTheMan]

I found this site a few weeks ago and only just got around to posting, it was found with another pile of bones of what looked to be good sized Bass (around 50cm)

This area isn't known for Cod (that I'm aware of) so was a surprise find, I have fished there a bit from the banks but never caught anything.

To give you an idea of it's size, that's a size 13 foot next to it.

[Jords]

toga maybe?

[DES]

It does look toga shaped but it would be massive! Did it have teeth?

[Bommie]

any large scales laying around?

[Do$tylz]

wholly bejeezus.. thats massive.

[Angus]

I dont reckon its a toga. I reckon you are prob on the money with cod.

Interesting find.

Is the waterway you were fishing (no need for details) connected in anyway to one of the local impoundments?

Angus

[faulked]

lungfish ?

[kriso]

i think when you add the broken off pieces to the right of the foot it would complete the jaw , i agree with angus i reckon cod.

[Dinodadog]

where was it might help, not you exact spot just the area.

[wesfish]

could have been frames dumped there! got their fillets and did not want to put in their bin so off to the bush, is it north or south of brisbane?

[Jaymz711]

looks like a massive toga to me mate.

Jameson

[natang]

That is freakin huge!!!!! I hope someone has eaten it and not just killed it. |THe head shape looks very similar to a Cod.

[DanTheMan]

I never thought of Toga..

Now that you mention it I think there were some big scales which would lead to a massive Toga? I'll go back at some stage and have a look. If it is a Toga its a bloody impressive one!

Its on the Sunshine Coast. Not connected to any impoundments either.

Here's some more pics of the head if it will help.

[mattuna]

just thinking of a queenfish

[Angus]

Righto. Total fresh?

[DanTheMan]

Angus wrote:

Righto. Total fresh?

100%

[Angus]

Interesting. No idea then! Barra?

[Bommie]

in the 2nd pic the bone your foot is on looks like the other half of the bottom jaw

[Cowfish13]

I call Cod. On the very edge of the head section (towards the tail), that fish has a pointed bit (very technical name there :silly: ) like a Cod. Saratoga have a rounded section there

[burger93]

just wondering if this was near maroochie river?

cheers sean

[Little Grey Men]

Cowfish13 wrote:

I call Cod. On the very edge of the head section (towards the tail), that fish has a pointed bit (very technical name there :silly: ) like a Cod. Saratoga have a rounded section there

I'm thinking the same, the gill plate comes to a point like most cod. Togas are more rounded. The Sunshine Coast...could be the carcass of a very big Mary River Cod.

It's a shame we can't see the teeth.

[Travis]

I call loch ness monster............

[Cowfish13]

Little Grey Men wrote:

Cowfish13 wrote:

I call Cod. On the very edge of the head section (towards the tail), that fish has a pointed bit (very technical name there :silly: ) like a Cod. Saratoga have a rounded section there

I'm thinking the same, the gill plate comes to a point like most cod. Togas are more rounded. The Sunshine Coast...could be the carcass of a very big Mary River Cod.

It's a shame we can't see the teeth.

That's what I was thinking of!! :laugh: I couldn't think of the name when I was posting.

[DanTheMan]

burger93 wrote:

just wondering if this was near maroochie river?

cheers sean

Na it isn't.

Thanks for the input guys, when I head back I'll have a look around for some more helpful clues, it's off the beaten track so should still be there.

[DanTheMan]

Double post.

[elops]

Scleropages leichardti the upper rear section of the operculum is broken giving it the appearance of an opercular spike. The size and the position of the eye and the shape of the jaws are the identification keys IMHO. Get a photo and compare them.

Regs Steve.

[rayke1938]

Thanks Steve thought you would be able to pick it. In other words southern toga.

Cheers

Ray

[mick fillet]

sheesh!!! it is bloody good size toga. the skeleton would look great mounted on the right piece of polshed drift wood. Did ta keep it I would have or was it national park?

[chris_stewart14]

Definately looks like a Toga to me.. They can grow over 1m and the look of the placement of the eye socket and the positioning of the bottom jaw it definately looks like a Toga.

Chris

[DanTheMan]

mick fillet wrote:

sheesh!!! it is bloody good size toga. the skeleton would look great mounted on the right piece of polshed drift wood. Did ta keep it I would have or was it national park?

Na not in a National Park, might keep the head, nice and clean with no smell, could always stick the other jaw bone back on.

[Little Grey Men]

elops wrote:

Scleropages leichardti the upper rear section of the operculum is broken giving it the appearance of an opercular spike. The size and the position of the eye and the shape of the jaws are the identification keys IMHO. Get a photo and compare them.

Regs Steve.

Well spotted Steve, the second photo makes it a little clearer. I want a toga that size. HOLY SMOKES !!!

[Angus]

I still think Cowfish's observation the gill is pointed, more like a cod rather the rounded gill plate of a toga. However who knows as the fish has dried out a lot and may not perfectly reflect its original shape.

If is a a toga.... WOW!

Angus