Achoerodus gouldii
Species of fish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The western blue groper (Achoerodus gouldii) is a species of wrasse native to coastal waters of southern Australia from the Houtman Abrolhos in Western Australia to west of Melbourne.
| Achoerodus gouldii | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Division: | Teleostei |
| Order: | Labriformes |
| Family: | Labridae |
| Genus: | Achoerodus |
| Species: | A. gouldii |
| Binomial name | |
| Achoerodus gouldii (J. Richardson, 1843) | |
 | |
| Dark blue = western blue groper | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
This species prefers areas with rocky substrates and can be found at depths of from 1 to 65 m. Their diet consists of other fishes, crabs, lobster, various molluscs including abalone, and starfish. This species grows to a length of 175 cm (69 in).[2] Weights of up to 40 kg (88 lb) have been recorded.[3] It has been recorded living for up to 70 years, making it the longest lived wrasse species recorded alongside the foxfish.[4] They have a single long-based dorsal fin, a large squarish tail, thick fleshy lips, large heavy scales and peg-like teeth.[5]
Female
Male
Taxonomy
The species was formally described by the naturalist John Richardson in 1843 from a specimen taken to the British Museum (Natural History) by John Gould,[6] who Richardson honoured in the specific name he gave to this fish.[5]
Conservation
This species is of minor importance to local commercial fisheries.[2]
In South Australia the species is protected in Spencer Gulf, St Vincent Gulf, Investigator Strait and Backstairs Passage.[7] The species is occasionally caught by line and spear fishers. Conservationists and some scientists argue that state-wide protection is needed to achieve ecologically meaningful results.[citation needed] It is considered by many experts[who?] to be functionally extinct in Gulf Saint Vincent and mature adults are now rare in Spencer Gulf[citation needed]. In light of the fact that it's the top order territorial bony rocky reef fish in this State[citation needed], full protection should[according to whom?] be a matter of high priority.
Outside of spatial closures, recreational fishers are allowed to catch one Western blue groper per day in South Australia[7] and Western Australia.[8] The fish is fully protected in Victorian waters.[9]
