Southern blue devil

Species of fish From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The southern blue devil (Paraplesiops meleagris) is a species of ray-finned fish in the longfin family Plesiopidae. Endemic to southern Australia, it is a close relative of the eastern blue devil (P. bleekeri), which lives in coastal waters of eastern Australia, and of the western blue devil (P. sinclairi) of southwestern Western Australia.

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Southern blue devil
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Blenniiformes
Family: Plesiopidae
Genus: Paraplesiops
Species:
P. meleagris
Binomial name
Paraplesiops meleagris
(Peters, 1869)
Synonyms
  • Plesiops meleagris Peters, 1869
  • Ruppelia prolongata Castelnau, 1873
  • Bleeckeria catafracta Castelnau, 1873
  • Plesiops gigas Steindachner, 1883
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Description

The southern blue devil grows to about 33 cm in length. The body is dark blue to bluish-grey and densely covered in brighter blue spots, and the dorsal, pelvic, anal and pelvic fins have a pale blue margin. The dorsal, anal and pelvic fins are relatively large.[2][3]

Distribution and habitat

The southern blue devil is found along the southern Australian coastline, from South Australia to eastern Victoria. It occupies reefs, ledges, crevices, and deep cave systems, at depths ranging from 3 to over 40 m, sometimes in small groups containing individuals of sizes varying from small juveniles to mature adults.[2]

Behavior

Breeding

Eggs are laid on a substrate and are guarded by the male until they hatch.[2]

Feeding

This species feeds on small fish, crabs and gastropods.[2][3]

References

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