Senator Wrasse

Eastern Blue Groper

Snakeskin Wrasse

Maori Wrasse

Crimson-banded Wrasse

Comb Wrasse

Senator Wrasse

Common Name: Senator Wrasse
Scientific Name: Pictilabrus laticlavius
Family: Labridae
Found: NSW, VIC, TAS, SA, WA
Maximum Length: 25 cm

Wrasse are one of the largest fish families worldwide with around 400 species, roughly half of which are found in Australia. Senator Wrasse are Australian endemics found in temperate waters from northern NSW to mid coast WA. They prefer weedy habitats on coastal reefs and in estuaries.

Senator Wrasse have a distinctive colouration and are unlikely to be confused with other species. They have a base colour of green to reddish brown although they are usually green in NSW. They have a pair of purple bands horizontally along the body that meet close to the tail.

Confusing Species: None likely

Eastern Blue Groper

Common Name: Eastern Blue Groper
Scientific Name: Achoerodus viridis
Family: Labridae
Found: QLD, NSW, VIC
Maximum Length: 1.2 m

Eastern Blue Gropers are members of the Wrasse family. They are Australian endemics and are found in temperate marine waters on Australia’s eastern seaboard. All juveniles are female growing towards an initial phase from which they either become male or remain as females. Adults inhabit a diverse range of habitats to a depth of around 40 metres. Juveniles are found amongst seagrasses in estuaries.

Large fleshy lips and peg-like teeth are characteristics of Eastern Blue Gropers. Males are a bright blue colour, especially noticeable in shallow water. Females are a reddish brown with lighter markings on their sides.

Confusing Species: None likely

Snakeskin Wrasse

Common Name: Snakeskin Wrasse
Scientific Name: Eupetrichthys angustipes
Family: Labridae
Found: NSW, VIC, TAS
Maximum Length: 20 cm

Found in all temperate Australian marine waters, the Snakeskin Wrasse is an Australian endemic. Usually found around weedy areas down to around 40 metres, they swim with a head-up posture above the seabed or can be found resting on the bottom.

Snakeskin Wrasse have an elongated body shape. They are a grey to brown colour with a dark band horizontally along the upper half of the body and several bands vertically down their sides. They have numerous spots over the head.

Confusing Species: None likely

Maori Wrasse

Common Name: Maori Wrasse
Scientific Name: Ophthalmolepis lineolatus
Family: Labridae
Found: NSW, VIC, TAS, SA, WA
Maximum Length: 47 cm

Maori Wrasse are endemic to Australian temperate marine waters. They are found around rocky reefs in shallow waters and down to a depth of 60 metres in cooler waters. They are named for the face scribbles that develop on males that supposedly resemble Maori facial tattoo patterns.

Maori Wrasse have an elongated body shape and a colouration that changes between genders and as they mature. Females and juveniles are reddish brown on top with white or a lighter orangey colour below. Males have the same colouration but also develop a dark stripe horizontally along the lateral line and the distinctive blue face scribbles that give this species their name.

Confusing Species: None likely

Crimson-banded Wrasse

Common Name: Crimson-banded Wrasse
Scientific Name: Notolabrus gymnogenis
Family: Labridae
Found: QLD, NSW, VIC
Maximum Length: 40 cm

Crimson-banded Wrasse are found throughout NSW and in southern Queensland and eastern Victoria. They are found down to 40 metres, often around kelp on rocky reefs.

Crimson-banded Wrasse have completely different colourations between genders. The crimson band that gives this species its name is found only on males as a vertical band close to the caudal peduncle. Otherwise males are a greenish grey around the head and have crimson coloured anal and dorsal fins, yellow pectoral fins and a white caudal fin. Females are a reddish brown colour with rows of white spots horizontally along the body.

Confusing Species: None likely

Comb Wrasse

Common Name: Comb Wrasse
Scientific Name: Coris picta
Family: Labridae
Found: QLD, NSW
Maximum Length: 24 cm

Found on Australia’s eastern seaboard in temperate marine waters. Adults are found offshore and on coastal reefs, sometimes forming large groups. Juveniles act as cleaner fish and feed on parasites found on other species.

Comb Wrasse have a pointed spout and an elongated body shape. They are a bright white colour with a thick black band horizontally along the lateral line. The lower edge of the black band is serrated thereby giving the Comb Wrasse its name. Females have a yellow tail fin and males quickly loose their distinctive colouration during territorial or mating displays.

Confusing Species: Pixie Wrasse

Pixie Wrasse are found in northern NSW waters. They have a similar colouration to Comb Wrasse except the lower margin of the black band lacks the serrated edge.