{{Short description|Species of fish}} {{Redirect-distinguish-text|Guyu (fish)|Guiyu (fish)}} {{Speciesbox | name = Bloomfield River cod | image = Guyuwujalwujalensis.jpg | status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name = iucn>{{cite iucn | author1 = Brooks, S. | author2 = Kennard, M. | author3 = Ebner, B. | name-list-style = amp | year = 2019 | title = ''Macquaria wujalwujalensis'' | article-number = e.T123387799A129046401 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T123387799A129046401.en | access-date = 13 May 2020}}</ref> | taxon = Macquaria wujalwujalensis | authority = (Pusey & M. J. Kennard, 2001) | synonyms = ''Guyu wujalwujalensis'' <small>Pusey & Kennard, 2001</small><ref name = CofF>{{Cof record|spid=66293|title=''Guyu wujalwujalensis''|access-date=13 May 2020}}</ref> }} The '''Bloomfield River cod''' ('''''Macquaria wujalwujalensis''''') or the '''tropical nightfish''', is a species of temperate perch endemic to Australia.<ref name=FishBase>{{FishBase |genus= Guyu|species= wujalwujalensis| month = February | year = 2014}}</ref> It is only found in an 11-km stretch of the Bloomfield River (between two large waterfalls) in the Daintree Rainforest of northern Queensland. These waterfalls appear to have blocked the migration of more aggressive tropical freshwater fish species such as the sooty grunter (''Hephaestus fuliginosus'') that have presumably naturally displaced the Bloomfield River cod from its former range in prehistoric times. With its very limited distribution, the Bloomfield River cod is clearly a relict species. It is a very important relict species, however, as it is the most northerly distributed percichthyid species in Australia and raises interesting questions on the biogeography of percichthyid fish in Australia and the history of their ancient colonisation of Australian rivers.
==Discovery== The species was discovered in 1993 by Mark Kennard and Brad Pusey of the Australian Rivers Institute at Griffith University.<ref name=Whiteman>{{cite news|author=Whiteman, Hilary |date=27 December 2025 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/26/australia/australia-fish-bloomfield-cod-intl-hnk-dst |title=This tiny ancient fish only lives between two waterfalls in one river. It's now under threat|work=CNN|access-date= 27 December 2025}}</ref><ref name=Maloney>{{cite news|author=Maloney, Rosanne |date=1 January 2026 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-01/rare-freshwater-fish-bloomfield-river-cod-research/106091448 |title=Rare freshwater Bloomfield River cod surviving amid environmental threats|work=ABC News|access-date= 1 January 2026}}</ref>
==Etymology== The species name ''wujalwujalensis'' comes from the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal community on the Bloomfield River, and the genus name ''Guyu'' comes from the tribe's name for this fish. Bloomfield River cod are the only species in the genus ''Guyu''.
==Description==
Though named after the Australian freshwater cod species that are the most famous members of the family Percichthyidae (e.g. Murray cod), the Bloomfield River cod has little resemblance to the cod species. In fact, it is very similar in shape and appearance to a juvenile golden perch in a gold/light bronze colouration. It can reach a length of {{convert|10.1|cm|in|abbr=on}} SL.<ref name=FishBase/> Despite its small size, it is slow-growing and long-lived; a {{convert|13|cm|in|abbr=on}} individual was estimated to be 15 years old.<ref name=Maloney />
==Threats== Introduced threats (as competitors or potential predators) to the Bloomfield River cod include the Tully Grunter, which may have been introduced by recreational fishers; native eel-tailed catfish and South American guppies may have been released by aquarium enthusiasts.<ref name=Whiteman />
==Conservation== Attempts at captive breeding have been unsuccessful.<ref name=Whiteman />
In November 2024, an expert committee of the Biodiversity Council (a consortium of 11 Australian universities) recommended that the Bloomfield River cod be listed under the federal government's ''EPBC Act''.<ref name=Maloney /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://biodiversitycouncil.org.au/admin/uploads/FACTSHEET%20Freshwater%20fish%20risk%20assessment%20Nov2024%20a3718cb98b.pdf |title=Preventing extinctions of Australian freshwater fishes: A national assessment - Research findings|publisher= Biodiversity Council factsheet|access-date= 1 January 2026}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
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Category:Macquaria Bloomfield River cod Category:Freshwater fish of Queensland Bloomfield River cod