Eastern Blue Groper
Achoerodus viridis (Steindachner, 1866)
Eastern Blue Groper
A male Eastern Blue Groper at a depth of 6 m, Kurnell, New South Wales, 1999. Photo © T. Hochgrebe. View larger image. View movie of this fish.
Eastern Blue Groper
A male Eastern Blue Groper at a depth of 12 m, 'The Gutter', Bass Point, New South Wales, December 2000. Photo © H. Rothenfluh & P. Zylstra. View larger image.
Eastern Blue Groper
An Eastern Blue Groper at Shark Point, New South Wales. Photo © Á. Lumnitzer.
The Eastern Blue Groper is a species well known to scuba divers in New South Wales. It is found in coastal, marine waters from southern Queensland to Wilson's Promontory, Victoria.
This species grows to 1.2 m in length.
Adults are found in a wide range of habitats from shallow waters, down to 40 m. Juveniles are usually found in estuarine seagrass beds.
Like most wrasses, as the Eastern Blue Groper ages, it passes through several stages. Juveniles are all female. As the fish matures, it goes through an initial phase (IP) during which the fish could be either male or female. Fully developed males develop the bright blue colouration. These fish have reached the terminal phase (TP). View more information on sex change in fishes.
The Eastern Blue Groper is particularly susceptible to spearfishing and in the past was taken in large numbers by spearfishers. As a result of this, the species was given total protection status in New South Wales waters in 1969. In 1974, angling and commercial fishing were allowed again, but spearfishing was still prohibited. In 1975, concern over the large catches by commercial fishers led to a ban on bottom-set gill nets. Blue Groper were banned from sale in 1980
Achoerodus viridis (Steindachner, 1866)
Eastern Blue Groper
A male Eastern Blue Groper at a depth of 6 m, Kurnell, New South Wales, 1999. Photo © T. Hochgrebe. View larger image. View movie of this fish.
Eastern Blue Groper
A male Eastern Blue Groper at a depth of 12 m, 'The Gutter', Bass Point, New South Wales, December 2000. Photo © H. Rothenfluh & P. Zylstra. View larger image.
Eastern Blue Groper
An Eastern Blue Groper at Shark Point, New South Wales. Photo © Á. Lumnitzer.
The Eastern Blue Groper is a species well known to scuba divers in New South Wales. It is found in coastal, marine waters from southern Queensland to Wilson's Promontory, Victoria.
This species grows to 1.2 m in length.
Adults are found in a wide range of habitats from shallow waters, down to 40 m. Juveniles are usually found in estuarine seagrass beds.
Like most wrasses, as the Eastern Blue Groper ages, it passes through several stages. Juveniles are all female. As the fish matures, it goes through an initial phase (IP) during which the fish could be either male or female. Fully developed males develop the bright blue colouration. These fish have reached the terminal phase (TP). View more information on sex change in fishes.
The Eastern Blue Groper is particularly susceptible to spearfishing and in the past was taken in large numbers by spearfishers. As a result of this, the species was given total protection status in New South Wales waters in 1969. In 1974, angling and commercial fishing were allowed again, but spearfishing was still prohibited. In 1975, concern over the large catches by commercial fishers led to a ban on bottom-set gill nets. Blue Groper were banned from sale in 1980