What's on the move?
Below is a list of marine species Redmap has identified as extending or shifting their usual habitat ranges. Some species are new to Tasmania and others are shifting their ranges within Tasmanian waters.
Angel shark
Squatina australis
Angel sharks appear to be a cross between a ray and a shark. Its back and large pectoral fins are light grey and covered with small white spots. Usual range is within southern Australia from WA to Port Stephens, NSW.
Crimson-banded wrasse
Notolabrus gymnogenis
Males have a green body and white tail with the namesake red band across the body and red fins. Females are coloured red to red-brown with many rows of white dots horizontally along the body. Juveniles are green with white spots. Log this species wherever it is spotted in Tasmanian waters.
Dusky morwong
Dactylophora nigricans
The morwong family have lovely large rubbery lips, are slow moving and often have an elongated or several elongated sections on their pectoral fins (the ones on the side). The Dusky morwong, the largest in this family, is not as nice to eat as some of the others.
Eastern blue groper
Achoerodus viridis
Males have fleshy lips and are a blue or blue-green colour. Females are brown with random light spotting/blotches. Juveniles are grey with similar blotches. Log this species wherever it is spotted in Tasmanian waters.
Eastern king prawn
Melicertus plebejus
The eastern king prawn has been recorded from from northern reefs in Queensland to Georges Bay in Tasmania. To identify this prawn look for a pair of grooves alongside its rostrum (spikey bit on its head) to the end of its carapace (body shell). The spikey rostrum will have 10 to 11 teeth on the top and just one on the lower surface.
Eastern rock lobster
Jasus verreauxi
Very similar to southern rock lobster but the body is green and it has orange-brown legs. Occurs intermittently in Tasmania and is expected to be more common on the east coast. Log this species wherever it is spotted in Tasmanian waters.
Eastern wirrah
Acanthistius ocellatus
Otherwise known as ‘Old Boot’ due to its taste, the eastern wirrah has a greenish-brown body covered in blue centered spots. Count thirteen spines on its dorsal fin (back fin). Juveniles have banded patterning.
Frigate Mackerel
Auxis thazard
Migratory species with worldwide distribution, usually associated with warmer waters. Light underside with a pattern of about 15 narrow, oblique dark wavy lines above the lateral line.
Gloomy octopus
Octopus tetricus
Current Tasmanian range is still unknown. Some sightings in northeastern Tasmania by local commercial fishers. Look for its white eyes, brown body and distinct orange underside. Log this species wherever it is spotted in Tasmanian waters.
Green moray
Gymnothorax prasinus
Most common eel in southern waters - this green eel has a yellow brown humped head and green body.