Fish in focus - Western Blue Groper. Thank you for signing up for the Great Southern Reef newsletter! Adults are found in … Physical attributes. They are a curious species, which is a delight for scuba divers, but it can also be a detriment as they make easy targets for spearfishers. Blue Groper are usually targeted by rock fisherman however occasionally target by smaller boat fisherman that don’t mind fishing close to the rocks. The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Blue Groper has a very small head. Learn more about the biology of this fish … What makes Sydney's harbour the most biodiverse in the world? Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Species. Breeding and Behaviour. Category: Fish Fillets. Key Information. It is the goal of this project to help fill those gaps. Abstract—The western blue groper … In this section, there's a wealth of information about our collections of scientific specimens and cultural objects. & R. Swainston. Its just when Blue Groper were named some idiot decided to call them groper. Eastern Pomfred, Schuettea scalaripinnis Steindachner, 1866. Look closely next time you see a Blue Groper while diving and see if you … well what a day, mate gave the call to come try a new spot up the coast and didn't it produce, after a couple of good pigs decided to try wrestle a groper and come up with the goods. The eastern blue groper is the official fish of NSW. Blue groper typically live in small groups, called “harems”, of one male, two females and many juveniles with the male being the largest in size and a bright cobalt colour, while the females maintain a greener hue. Western Blue … The secret is to find an area where there are plenty of groper … Their bodies are robust and the head is pointed with a protruding lower jaw. Female blue groper. Hapuku rarely swim alone and are sometimes found in schools of 30 or more. Labrids are small to large, colourful, carnivorous fishes that are extremely varied in body shape and habitats. Blue Groper are found in rocky reef areas … Calorie Goal … Should the dominant male blue groper die, the largest female will grow, change colour and sex, and become the dominant male. As a result, the species was given total protection status in New South Wales waters in 1969. Australian Fish - Eastern Blue Groper. Interestingly, if the male is removed from the group, by either fishing or old age for example, then the harem’s dominant female takes the former male’s place – by changing in both sex and colour. A friendly but powerful coastal fish that often follows divers. Adults are found in a wide range of habitats from shallow waters, down to 40 m. Juveniles are usually found in estuarine seagrass beds. Eastern Blue Groper, Achoerodus viridis (Steindachner, 1866) Identification. 5 years ago | 4 views. 107:57–75 (2009). As is the case with most groper species blue groper begin their lives as females and mature at around 30cm in... Habitat. Western Blue Groper Achoerodus gouldii Western Blue Gropers are large, long-lived slow-growing fish that are closely related to the Eastern Blue Groper (Achoerodus viridis). Eastern Blue Groper at Kurnell - A male Eastern Blue Groper at a depth of 6m, Kurnell, New South Wales, 1999. Groper is a versatile fish option, it makes great steaks and smokes well. The massive decline in blue groper numbers was directly attributable to … Daily Goals. The Blue Groper male is the big blue fish that we all know and regularly see. Even though they are called a ‘groper’ they are actually a large wrasse. The Western Blue Groper is the largest bony fish found along Australia's southern coast. Juveniles are all female. The thick-bodied blue gropers have peg teeth, heavy scales, large tails and thick lips. Considered a keystone species, western blue gropers are an important part of the marine ecosystem. They are found along the southern coastal waters of Australia. The eastern blue groper is the state's emblem fish and the species has been protected since 1969. Male blue groper. Achoerodus is a genus of wrasses collectively known as blue gropers. The best time to see one is at dawn or dusk when they are more active. Confusing species The Blue Groper is a member of the wrasse family and should not be confused with the Queensland gropers (Epinephelus). Hutchins, B. The Australian Museum respects and acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways on which the Museum stands. Additional Information ; Additional Information. Feature locations along the Great Southern Reef. Yellow lines around eyes, prominent fleshy lips and large peg-like teeth. took 1/2 crab on 50lb gear and went 80cm, 7.2kg. The blue groper was not a commercial fish. 2 talking about this. New Holland. Juveniles are brown to green brown. Continuing our series of endemic fish species, here is a species that is endemic to the south west of Western Australia and along the south coast to Victoria. landings at 5 thousand fish / 16 t in the mid 1990s. Check out the What's On calendar of events, workshops and school holiday programs. Like bass and Murray cod, groper are an iconic Aussie sportfish. In this section, find out everything you need to know about visiting the Australian Museum, how to get here and the extraordinary exhibitions on display. The males also have orange lines radiating from their eyes. Poor fella. And the ocean rocks are the least affected by environmental degradation. The blue groper is neither a groper nor a grouper: It’s a wrasse. Saved by Janice Wormworth. 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