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 | |
|---|---|
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| Achoerodus gouldii male | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Labriformes |
| Family: | Labridae |
| Genus: | Achoerodus |
| Species: | A. gouldii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Achoerodus gouldii (J. Richardson, 1843)
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| 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] They have a single long-based dorsal fin, a large squarish tail, thick fleshy lips, large heavy scales and peg-like teeth.[4] 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.[5] 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[5] and Western Australia.[6] The fish is fully protected in Victorian waters.[7]
Etymology
editThe species was formally described by the naturalist John Richardson in 1843 from a specimen taken to the British Museum (Natural History) by John Gould,[8] who Richardson honoured in the specific name he gave to this fish.[4]
References
edit- ^ Choat, J.H.; Gillanders, B.; Pollard, D. (2010). "Achoerodus gouldii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T187520A8556943. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187520A8556943.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Achoerodus gouldii". FishBase. August 2013 version.
- ^ Fisheries Western Australia - Western Blue Groper Fact Sheet Archived October 29, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Dianne J. Bray (2018). "Achoerodus gouldii". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
- ^ a b Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia (2016-11-30). "Western Blue Groper". pir.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
- ^ "Groper, western blue - Western Australian recreational fishing rules". rules.fish.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
- ^ Authority, Victorian Fisheries (2020-05-12). "Blue Groper". VFA. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
- ^ Richardson, J. (1843). "Contributions to the ichthyology of Australia (continued). Annals and Magazine of Natural History (New Series)". 11 (67-8 and 71-2): 22–28, 169–182, 352–359, 422–428.
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External links
editMedia related to Achoerodus gouldii at Wikimedia Commons