Eastern Blue Groper

Groper blue male
© Tasmanian Government. Image Peter Gouldthorpe
Season: Rules apply

bag limit0

 

possession limit0

 

boat limit0

Guide to symbols

bagBag Limit
housePossession Limit
boatBoat Limit

Minimum size

None
Measuring

Most scalefish are measured from the nose to the end of the tail. Get your scalefish measuring ruler or sticker at any Service Tasmania outlet.

Other names

eastern blue wrasse, blue groper, brown groper, giant pigfish


Scientific name

Achoerodus viridis

Grows to


Up to

1.2m and 18kg

Identifying features


​A sturdy-bodied fish with a large, squarish tail that can grow to over one metre in length. They have large rubber-like lips, strong jaws and tusk like teeth. Adult males are deep blue in colour and females are brown with several whitish spots on the flanks. Juveniles are grey with white spots. See illustrations of both sexes above.

​Habitat

Blue groper are found around coastal reefs down to 50 metres and will enter bays and estuaries. This species appears to be a migrant coming down on the east Australian current and is found around Flinders Island and Tasmania’s east coast. The similar western blue groper is now being found overlapping the eastern blue groper range on mainland Australia.

Fishing information

There is a zero take limit set for this species in Tasmania as it is a known predator on long-spined sea urchin, using its strong teeth to break open the urchin.

There does not appear to be an abundance of this species presently established in Tasmanian waters. Log any sightings with Redmap.

Hotline

Fishwatch Report illegal fishing

0427 655 557

What to report? arrow button

Contact us

Recreational Fishing

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

Hobart TAS 7000

Phone: (03) 6165 3233, 1300 720 647

Email: fishing.enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries Licensing

Level 1, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: fishing.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au