Eastern Blue Groper, Achoerodus viridis (Steindachner, 1866)

Scientific name: Achoerodus viridis

Author(s)

Mark McGrouther
Updated

26/02/21
Read time

2 minutes

Eastern Blue Groper at Kurnell - A male Eastern Blue Groper at a depth of 6m, Kurnell, New South Wales, 1999. Image: Tim Hochgrebe
© Tim Hochgrebe

Fast Facts

Classification

Genus

Achoerodus

Species

viridis

Family

Labridae

Order

Perciformes

Class

Actinopterygii

Subphylum

Vertebrata

Phylum

Chordata

Kingdom

Animalia
Size Range

This species grows to 1.2 m in length.

Despite the name, the Eastern Blue Groper is not a groupers, but a wrasse. It lives in shallow coastal waters and is regularly seen around exposed reefs.

Identification

This stout bodied species has peg-like teeth, heavy scales, a large tail and thick lips. Juveniles are brown to green brown. Adult females are brown to reddish-brown. Each scale may have a darker red spot. Adult males are bright blue, hence the common name. The blue can range from deep navy to cobalt blue, and there may also be darker or yellow-orange spots or lines around the eyes.

Habitat

Adults are found in a wide range of habitats from shallow waters, down to 40 m. Juveniles are usually found in estuarine seagrass beds.

Distribution

The Eastern Blue Groper is endemic to Australia. It is found in coastal, marine waters from southern Queensland to Wilson's Promontory, Victoria. It is particularly well known to scuba divers in New South Wales and was made the fish emblem for New South Wales in 1996.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.

Feeding and diet

It is a carnivorous species. The video, below, shows an Eastern Blue Groper biting a sea urchin.

Life history cycle

Adults are found on rocky coastal reefs, they spawn during the winter (July-October) and the young recruit primarily into estuarine sea grass beds during winter (Gillanders, 1999). A full description of the Larval Eastern Blue Groper.

Breeding behaviours

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. Adult females are reddish brown. Adult males develop bright blue colouration. These fish have reached the terminal phase (TP).

Conservation status

The Eastern Blue Groper is particularly susceptible to spearfishing and in the past was taken in large numbers by spearfishers. As a result, 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 was banned from sale in 1980.