Achoerodus viridis
Eastern Blue Groper
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Perciformes
Family
Labridae
Genus
Achoerodus
Species
Achoerodus viridis
Colours
Distinguishing features
Distinguishing features still need to be specified.
Size
- Up to 62 cm (Total Length) - applies to Males
- Up to 33 cm (Total Length) - applies to Females
Depth range
- From 0 m to 40 m
Synonyms
Comments
Early juveniles in seagrass beds feeds on crustaceans. On rocky reefs food items are dominated by crabs molluscs and echinoderms. Adult foods also importantly include crabs, which is the main recreational line fishing bait used in New South Wales. Recreational fishers are only allowed to catch them on line, not by spear.
by Damon Bolton
Interesting facts
- 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).
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Most abundant on rocky reefs including open coastal and offshore reefs. Juveniles can be found in estuarine and inshore reefs.
