identifying this fish

[Molarfish]

Hi,

I seem to always catch these fish off Port Kembla. They look like some type of wrasse. Would appreciate if anyone knows what it is.

Did try to eat one long ago and it was terrible cooked. So now I just let them go.

Just interested in identifying what I catch.

Many thanks.

Edited September 10, 2012 by Molarfish

[onearmedfisho]

Hi,

I seem to always catch these fish off Port Kembla. They look like some type of wrasse. Would appreciate if anyone knows what it is.

Did try to eat one long ago and it was terrible cooked. So now I just let them go.

Just interested in identifying what I catch.

Many thanks.

Got a pick mate?

[elferoz777]

could be a crimson wrasse...I cannot say for sure due tot the ambiguous colour in the photo.

I catch a bucket of them and yes they don't rank very high on the plate.

If the body was dark with red fins then it is a crimson wrasse I think.

[Molarfish]

Thanks Elfer,

I thought it was a wrasse.

They seem to be in plague proportions down in Port kembla. We caught about 10 during the day. Let them all go.

[elferoz777]

Thanks Elfer,

I thought it was a wrasse.

They seem to be in plague proportions down in Port kembla. We caught about 10 during the day. Let them all go.

I think it is a good sign though....

I have found these fish to disappear in the cooler quieter months and usually pull these in of the rocks prior to getting a heap of bream or trevally.

Maybe things are slowly warming up.

[Blackfish]

I believe your fish is a Maori Wrasse Ophthalmolepis lineolatus.

More elongated than a Crimson.