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.
Maori wrasse
Ophthalmolepis lineolatus
Larger fish have bright blue tattoo markings around the eyes and face. Females and juveniles have three long stripes along the length of the body. These longitudinal stripes are red-brown at the top, a thin white stripe in the middle and a green belly stripe. The males have a greener colour on upper body and often have a black and white stripe running the length of their body. Log the southern maori wrasse wherever it is spotted in Tasmanian waters.
Old wife
Enoplosus armatus
The body is light and silvery with 6 to 8 vertical black bands of varying length and width. The old wife has poisonous sharp spines in its dorsal fins. Old Wife is considered quite common in Bass Strait and can be found in reef habitat along the north and north-east coasts. Log an old wife if you spot it south of Maria Island.
Onespot puller
Chromis hypsilepis
This species is a blue-grey colour and is identified by the one white spot found at the beginning of its tail, an area otherwise known as its caudal peduncle. Log a onespot puller sighting wherever it is spotted in Tasmanian waters.
Rainbow cale
Heteroscarus acroptilus
Males and large females are brightly coloured and have two elongated spines on dorsal fins and dark rectangular blotches in rows along the length of their flank, purplish bands across a light orange/brown body. Juveniles and small females are speckled light brown, white and red-brown. Spotted around the Bass Strait islands and down the east coast to Maria Island. Log it if you spot it south of Maria Island and directly off the north coast.
Rock blackfish
Girella elevata
Identified by its dark bluish-black colour, they have small mouths to enable them to feed on algae and invertebrates from the sea floor. Juveniles are mottled and banded. This species has been identified in the eastern Bass Strait and on the east coast. Log the rock blackfish if you spot it in the north-west, west or south of St Helens on the east coast
Rock cale
Aplodactylus lophodon
The rock cale has a dark olive colour and small white spots on its fins and upper flank. Likes to feed in shallow water and protects itself from big swell by lodging itself in rock crevices. It has no teeth. Log the rock cale wherever it is spotted in Tasmanian waters.
Snakeskin wrasse
Eupetrichthys angustipes
Patterns comprise of 6 to 10 dark brown bands vertically down the flank of the fish which angle back (like a backslash on a keyboard). The face is speckled with brownish blotches. Log this species wherever it is spotted in Tasmanian waters.
Snapper
Pagrus auratus
Mature snapper are pink and appear to have a convex forehead in larger adults. Juveniles have blue spots over the body. Snapper have strong jaws and dorsal spines capable of breaking off in a wound. Snapper are common in the north and becoming more common in the south. Log this species only if you spot it south of Maria Island.
Tailor
Pomatomus saltatrix
Tailor are grey with a pale belly, have a broad forked tail and a streamlined body. Watch out for their teeth, there is a good reason they are also called Choppers! Tailor are recent arrivals to many parts of Tasmania, and becoming more common on the east coast where in places such as St Helens they were not seen as little as 3 to 5 years ago. Log this species if you spot it south of St Helens.
Tiger shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
This is a big shark, the second biggest of the predatory sharks. If you are lucky enough to see one it will be identifiable by its big teeth and dark stripes or bands down its body. Log a tiger shark sighting wherever it is spotted in Tasmanian waters.