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ANIMAL SPECIES:Eastern Blue Groper, Achoerodus viridis (Steindachner, 1866)

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Despite their name, they are not groupers, but wrasses. They live in shallow coastal waters and are regularily seen around exposed reefs.

Identification

The thick bodied blue gropers have peg 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. The adult males have the bright blue colouring that give the fish their 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.

Size range

This species grows to 1.2 m in length.

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.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Eastern Blue Groper specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

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.

Behaviour and adaptations

Life 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.

Mating and reproduction

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 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.

Classification

Species:
viridis
Genus:
Achoerodus
Family:
Labridae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

Further Reading

  1. Gomon, M.F & B.C. Russell in Gomon, M.F, J.C.M. Glover & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 19 July 2010

4 comments

Mark McGrouther STAFF

Mark McGrouther
12.07 PM, 19 July 2010

Hi bump73, Thanks for submitting the photo.  It's great to be able to show an image of an Eastern Blue Groper from estuarine waters.  As you know the species occurs primarily in marine waters, but it certainly does make its way into bays and harbours.  I remember surveying fishes well up into Sydney Harbour in 2000 and we also caught Eastern Blue Gropers.  The current silly photo (to the left) shows me holding a leatherjacket caught during the 2000 survey.

Ben Pearce

bump73
6.07 PM, 17 July 2010

Hi there just thought i'd let you guys know that i caught (and released) a female groper at Gladesville on the Parramatta River. Quite a long way from the coast where i thought they normally reside. Have attatched an image of it prior to being released

Comment Attachment

Mark McGrouther STAFF

Mark McGrouther
8.05 AM, 27 May 2010

Thanks for submitting the photo Matt!  It's a great shot that really nicely shows the peg-like teeth, fleshy lips and orange lines and 'scribbling' below the eye.  I love the fact that divers and snorkelers in different regions 'adopt' Eastern Blue Gropers, the one at Fly Point being George.  The local fish become very popular and people expect to interact with them when they visit the dive site.  Another famous 'celebrity fish' was Bluey, who lived in Clovelly 'pool' for many years.  For those of you who aren't familiar with New South Wales geography, Fly point is located at Port Stephens, about 160 km north of Sydney.  Thanks again Matt.

Matt Dowse

MattD
7.05 PM, 26 May 2010

Here is a photo of George the Groper from Fly Point.

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Eastern Blue Groper at Kurnell

Eastern Blue Groper at Kurnell View full size
Tim Hochgrebe © Tim Hochgrebe

Eastern Blue Groper at Broughton Island

Eastern Blue Groper at Broughton Island View full size
David and Leanne Atkinson © David and Leanne Atkinson

Female Eastern Blue Groper

Female Eastern Blue Groper View full size
David & Leanne Atkinson © David & Leanne Atkinson

Eastern Blue gropers feeding

Eastern Blue gropers feeding View full size
Glenn Atkinson © Glenn Atkinson

Diver and Eastern Blue Groper

Diver and Eastern Blue Groper View full size
Ákos Lumnitzer © Ákos Lumnitzer

A male Eastern Blue Groper at Bass Point.

A male Eastern Blue Groper at Bass Point. View full size
Paula Zylstra & Harry Rothenfluh © Paula Zylstra & Harry Rothenfluh

Eastern Blue Groper at Fly Point

Eastern Blue Groper at Fly Point View full size
David & Leanne Atkinson © David & Leanne Atkinson

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