Southern Blue Devil, Paraplesiops Meleagris (Peters, 1869)

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Fast Facts

• Classification Genus Parapelsiops Species meleagris Subfamily Plesiopinae Family Plesiopidae Order Perciformes Class Actinopterygii Subphylum Vertebrata Phylum Chordata Kingdom Animalia
• Size Range It grows to about 35 cm.

Introduction

The Southern Blue Devil is a cave dwelling fish, found along the southern Australian coastline.

Identification

The Southern Blue Devil can be recognised by the bright blue spots on its dark blue/brown body, and large anal and pelvic fins.

Habitat

These fish prefers deep cave systems and ledges, which may be inhabited by several individuals ranging from small juveniles to mature adults. They can be found in depths of 3 m to over 40 m.

Distribution

The species occurs along the southern Australian coastline, from eastern Victoria to the Houtman Abrolhos Islands in south-western Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Feeding and diet

The species feeds on fishes and crustaceans.

Breeding behaviours

Members of the genus Paraplesiops lay eggs onto the substrate. These are guarded by the male until hatching.

Conservation status

The species is not protected.

References

1. Gomon, M.F., Bray, D. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 2008. The Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Reed New Holland. Pp. 928.
2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.

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Also in this section

• Horn-nose Boxfish, Rhynchostracion rhinorhynchos (Bleeker, 1852)
• Murray Cod, Maccullochella peelii (Mitchell, 1838)
• Spiny Gurnard, Lepidotrigla papilio (Cuvier, 1829)
• Aploactinidae - Velvetfishes
• Australian Longnose Skate, Dentiraja confusa Last 2008
• Blackspotted Sandgoby, Istigobius nigroocellatus (Günther, 1873)
• Fish publications - 2006
• Fistulariidae - Flutemouths
• Many-toothed Garden Eel, Heteroconger perissodon
• Antarctic Deepsea Smelt, Bathylagus antarcticus
• Megalodon, Otodus megalodon
• Frequently asked questions about fishes

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