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This page  is meant as a guide to all the species that are endemic to the local areas of Shellharbour. Check out the Fisheries website for more information on regulations for spearfishing. Pick up one of the many brochures they produce. Or purchase one of the many fish id books that we have available.

Old Wives Pictured above. Grows to a length of 30cm with up to 8 black vertical stripes on silver body, with 2 separate dorsal fins, 2nd dorsal and anal fins have elongated lobes.

Bleekers Blue Devil Fish Pictured above. This shy reclusive species is often found in the local waters. A protected fish, there are heavy fines for the illegal spearing of this species. Easily recognised by its distinctive blue, yellow and white colouration.

   The Blue Devil is considered to be one of the most colourful and attractive fish species found along the east coast of Australia."The Eastern Blue Devil Fish” (Paraplesiops bleekeri) is also known as the Bleeker's Blue Devil Fish and is one of the most beautiful fish species in Australia's waters. It is a shy, secretive fish that is found inside caves and under ledges in inshore reefs in NSW estuaries and offshore waters from three to thirty metres. It occurs on the east coast from southern Queensland to Montague Island, but is most common in NSW from Sydney southwards to Ulladulla. They are prolific breeders, however juveniles are rarely seen. They are often solitary and are most active during the night however little is known about their diet. The Eastern Blue Devil Fish is a protected fish species in New South Wales, and there are heavy penalties for taking, selling or possessing them. This species is popular with divers and photographers because of its striking iridescent blue and yellow markings. The Eastern Blue Devil Fish is most easily recognised by its banded pattern of blue and white strips on the body, blue spotted head, blue dorsal and anal fins and yellow caudal (tail) fin and base and pectoral fins. The pelvic fins and posterior dorsal and anal fins are elongated. The species lays its eggs in a group or nest that is glued to the roof of a cave until they hatch. Free swimming larvae, approximately 4mm long, hatch from the eggs and settle around reef areas when they have grown to about 10mm. It grows to 40cm in length. This species is also known to reside in the same cave for long periods of times. The Eastern Blue Devil Fish is very closely related to the Southern Blue Devilfish (Paraplesiops meleagris) that is found in the cooler waters of southern Australia.

Eastern Blue Groper Pictured above. The blue groper is BANNED FROM BEING SPEARFISHED IN NSW. Heavy fines are applied to any person caught spearing this species.

 Common on coastal reefs of NSW. best recognised by the prominent fleshy lips and peglike teeth. Like most wrasses, as the Eastern Blue Groper ages, it passes through several stages. Juveniles are all female. Juveniles are greyish brown, brownish orange or green. As the fish matures, it goes through an initial phase during which the fish could be either male or female. Adult females are reddish brown. Adult males develop bright blue colouration. They grow to 1.2 m in length. Adults are found in a wide range of habitats from shallow waters, down to 40 m. Juveniles are usually found in estuarine seagrass beds. The Eastern Blue Groper is widespread in Australia. It is found in coastal, marine waters from southern Queensland to Wilson's Promontory, Victoria. It is particularly well known to scuba divers in New South Wales and was made the fish emblem for New South Wales in 1996.

Blue or Grey Morwong Pictured above and below. Grows to 75cm. Head and body is light silvery blue to grey. sometimes it has a brownish tinge. This species of morwong has no horns on its head

Crimson Banded Wrasse Pictured above. Grows to a maximum length of 50cm. The male pictured here has red dorsal and anal fins and a red vertical band around the middle of the body. Caudal fin base is white. The female is greyish green to brownish orange body covered with numerous white spots.

Jewfish. Pictured above the jewfish or mulloway grows up to  2 metres in length, rear margin of caudal fin is rounded (convex). Anal fin is relatively more forward on body. Colour variable. mostly with a bluish, greenish or bronzy back.

The Red Morwong can be identified by its colouration and extended lower pectoral fin rays. It is orange-brown to dark brown above and pale below. It grows to a length of 65cm, Morwongs have large fleshy lips and a caudal fin which is forked. There are horn-like bumps in front of the eyes. Adults are usually seen congregated on rocky reefs to about 30m in depth. Juveniles live on algae covered reefs. The Red Morwong occurs in warm temperate waters of Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it is seen from southern Queensland to eastern Victoria. Red Morwong Pictured above. Grows to 65cm Colour varies from red to pale brown. Small fish are uniformly red, large fish have a white lower half. They have small horns in front of their eyes.

Long Snouted Boarfish Pictured above. This species grows to 50cm it is silvery white to slamon pink body with 2 to 3 dark oblique bands across body, noted by its long tubular snout and single dorsal fin.

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