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Western blue devil (Paraplesiops meleagris) — Plesiopidae

Western blue devil

Paraplesiops meleagris
Family: Plesiopidae

The Western blue devil (Paraplesiops meleagris) is a saltwater fish of the family Plesiopidae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
33 cm
Water
Saltwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The western blue devil is a graceful reef fish (Plesiopidae) from coastal waters of southwestern Australia. The species grows to about 33 cm and has a robust, dark-blue body densely scattered with light-blue spots, with high, fan-shaped fins. As a nocturnal predator it shelters by day in caves and crevices of rocky reefs and hunts small fish and crustaceans at night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Western blue devil?

The Western blue devil has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Western blue devil live?

The Western blue devil lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Western blue devil get?

The Western blue devil grows to a maximum of about 33 cm.

Is the Western blue devil dangerous to humans?

No, the Western blue devil is harmless to humans.

Is the Western blue devil edible?

Yes, the Western blue devil is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwe duivel sourced
English name
Western blue devil sourced
Scientific name
Paraplesiops meleagris
Family
Plesiopidae
Other names
Blue devil; Blue devilfish; Southern blue devil; Western blue devil verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
33.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Paraplesiops

More from the family Plesiopidae

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