About Paraplesiops meleagris (Peters, 1869)
The southern blue devil, scientifically named Paraplesiops meleagris (Peters, 1869), reaches a maximum length of roughly 33 cm. Its body ranges in color from dark blue to bluish-grey, and is densely covered with brighter blue spots. The dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins have pale blue margins, and the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins are relatively large. This fish is found along the southern Australian coastline, ranging from South Australia to eastern Victoria. It lives on reefs, in ledges, crevices, and deep cave systems, at depths from 3 meters to over 40 meters. It can sometimes be found in small groups that hold individuals of varying sizes, from small juveniles to mature adults.
