Eastern Blue Groper

Interesting Info

• The Eastern Blue Groper is one of the most recognisable reef fishes of south-eastern Australia and is the official marine emblem of New South Wales.
• It occurs along Australia’s east coast from southern Queensland, through New South Wales, and south to Wilsons Promontory in Victoria, including Lord Howe Island.
• This species is a large wrasse, not a true groper, and is closely related to the Western Blue Groper found further west.
• Juveniles are brown to reddish-brown with scattered darker blotches and live among seagrass beds and sheltered reefs.
• Females are green to brownish-green, often with lighter bellies, while large terminal males are brilliant blue—a striking colour change that inspired their common name.
• Like their western relatives, they are protogynous hermaphrodites: all individuals begin life as females, with the largest, most dominant changing into males.
• They have powerful jaws and peg-like teeth used to crunch crabs, sea urchins, molluscs, and other hard-shelled invertebrates.
• Spawning takes place during winter months, when pairs or small groups release eggs that drift in the plankton until hatching.
• Juveniles often live in seagrass meadows, while sub-adults and adults move onto rocky reefs and exposed coastal headlands.
• They are long-lived fish, with some individuals reaching ages of 35–40 years.
• These fish are often curious and approachable around snorkellers and divers, sometimes following people around rocky reef habitats.
• Historically, they were heavily targeted by spearfishers and anglers, which caused major population declines in New South Wales by the mid-20th century.
• Thanks to strong protections introduced in the 1970s, including a ban on spearfishing and commercial sale in NSW, populations have recovered significantly.
• They play an important ecological role by keeping populations of crabs, urchins, and other invertebrates in check, helping balance rocky reef ecosystems.