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This large slow swimming fish appears slightly different from its other wrasse relatives. It is much more like the true gropers of tropical waters. It is green-blue or blue with big round paddle fins, fleshy lips, and peg-like teeth. They are inquisitive and regularly approach divers, and many were speared in the early days of diving. The Blue Groper is endemic to Australia. Both western and eastern forms occur in Victoria, but they can be difficult to tell apart in the field. The difference between the Western Blue Groper and Eastern Blue Groper is that the Western has yellow spots around the eyes as opposed to the Eastern having yellow lines around the eyes. In addition, the Western Blue Groper grows to 1.6m, whereas the Eastern Blue Groper grows to 1m. The geographical distribution is also helpful with identification. Range: from eastern South Australia to WA No Western Blue Gropers were seen during the 2005 GVFC. Image ©

Map interpretation: This maps show the average abundance of this species, as observed by participants in the Great Victorian Fish Count. Each dot represents a site that has been monitered by Reef Watch, and the colour of the dot shows the average abundance, as detailed in the legend. Tentative sightings occur when the Reef Watcher is not 100% confident of the identification, or where the sighting is outside the previously known distribution of the species. It would be great to confirm these sightings with a photograph or further observations.

References:

• Edgar, Graham. J. 1997. Australian Marine Life - the plants and animals of temperate waters (revised edition). New Holland : Sydney .
• Gomon, Martin. F, Glover, J. C. M., & Kuiter, R. H. (eds) 1994. The Fishes of Australia 's South Coast . State Print: Adelaide .
• Hutchins, Barry, & Swainston, Roger. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia - Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing and Gary Allen: Smithfield .
• Kuiter, Rudie. H. 1993. The Complete Divers' & Fishermen's Guide to Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia . Crawford House Press: Bathurst .
• Kuiter, Rudie. H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia - A comprehensive reference for divers & fishermen. New Holland : Sydney .