Diet While very little known is known about the northern bastard cod, a survey conducted on the inhabitants of the north-east coastal reef fish was performed providing some insight to the diet of P. breviuscula. The survey showed it to be a carnivorous benthic feeder of small crustaceans such as amphipods, shrimps, and crabs. This was done via examination of stomach contents. Feeding behavior could not be observed due to the nocturnal nature of this fish. References Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) http://www.fishbase.de/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=2022&AT=Northern+bastard+cod , retrieved 4 March 2015. http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/FamilySummary.php?Family=Moridae , retrieved 4 March 2015. Willis, T.J. & Anderson, M., (2003), Structure of cryptic fish assemblages: relationships with habitat characteristics and predator density, Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol. 257, 209-221. Russell, B.C., (1983), The food and feeding habits of rocky reef fish of north eastern New Zealand, New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 17:2, 121-145. Paulin, C.D. & Roberts, C.D., (1992), The rockpool fishes of New Zealand, Colourcraft Ltd, Hong Kong. northern bastard codling Fish of the North Island Fauna of New South Wales Marine fish of Southern Australia northern bastard codling