Species ID
View AllSouthern Maori Wrasse
( Ophthalmolepis lineolatus )
Description
Other names
Other names
Butcher’s Prick, Maori Wrasse, Australian Maori-wrasse, Maori Parrotfish, Rainbow-fish
How to Catch
Distribution
Eating
Fast Facts
- Is a member of the family Labridae (wrasses)
- Can grow to 47cm in length
- Protogynous Sequential hermaphrodites. Like many of the wrasses, they begin life as female and change to male as they age
- Earns it’s name from the distinguishing bright blue lines on the head
- Slippery to handle
- Frequents coastal reef environments
- Endemic to Australia’s temperate waters from QLD to WA
- Occurs solitary
- Common sight for divers, very curious and will often swim around a divers head
- Common catch when fishing with small baits/hooks
- Edible but not a renown table fish
