The Southern Blue Devilfish (Paraplesiops meleagris) is a very popular fish with scuba divers because of it’s fluorescent blue colouration and it’s curious nature. It can be found in the waters of Southern Australia from Port Phillip Bay in Victoria around the south to the Abrolhos Islands off Western Australia. It can be found in waters as shallower as 3 metres and down to depths of 40 metres. They can generally be found on rocky reefs and headlands hiding in caves or under overhangs.
The Southern Blue Devilfish body colour is bright blue and has many vivid blue spots and they look very similar in appearance to the Eastern Blue Devilfish Paraplesiops bleekeri. The blue spots become more pronounced with age. It is a very territorial species and will chase out any other fish species that they perceive as a threat to their home. As a result of the curious nature of the Southern Blue Devilfish, it will often come out of its cave to investigate approaching divers. The Southern Blue Devilfish grows to a maximum size of approximately 40cm.
