Herring Cale have teeth in both jaws fused into a parrot-like beak with serrate edges and like most wrasses, this species changes both sex and colour throughout its life

Juveniles are greyish to brownish above, yellowish below, with dark brown blotches, spots and lines, and a broken pearly stripe on the side.  

Females are brown, darker above, with narrow blue wavy lines on the head; each scale with bluish white spot, fins brown with wavy blue lines.Males are pale blue to almost black with bright blue lines along the margins of the caudal fin, along the leading edge of the pectoral fin and on the snout.

This species was previously known as Odax cyanomelas

At a glance

Habitat It inhabits inshore rocky areas especially amongst kelp in the surge zone. Occurs in kelp forests, along exposed rocky coasts usually with brown macroalgae, and in Amphibolis griffithii seagrass beds
Size Can grow to around 50cm
Origin Endemic
Distribution Southern Australia from Angourie Point, northern New South Wales, to the Houtman Abrolhos, Western Australia, and around Tasmania
Descriptions
Distribution
Southern Australia from Angourie Point, northern New South Wales, to the Houtman Abrolhos, Western Australia, and around Tasmania
Habitat
It inhabits inshore rocky areas especially amongst kelp in the surge zone. Occurs in kelp forests, along exposed rocky coasts usually with brown macroalgae, and in Amphibolis griffithii seagrass beds
Size
Can grow to around 50cm
Common Name Herring Cale
Aliases No Known Aliases
Origin Endemic
Conservation Least Concern
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Distribution and map

Distribution provided by The Atlas of Living Australia

Classification

Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
SubphylumVertebrata
SuperclassGnathostomata
ClassActinopterygii
SubclassEuteleostei
SuperorderAcanthopterygii
OrderPerciformes
SuborderLabroidei
FamilyLabridae
SubfamilyLabrinae
GenusOlisthops
SpeciesOlisthops cyanomelas
Synonyms

Synonyms

There are no known synonyms for this species
References and dates
Original No original text available
Bibliography View page references
Added Sat 30 May 2020 @ 00:00 AM
Updated Tue 16 Nov 2021 @ 23:00 PM
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Disclaimer: A lot of work goes into trying to identify and ensure accurate identifications are made, and that the listed Descriptions, Sizes, Habitats and Distribution information is as accurate and valid as possible. Unfortunately, information in this arena is ever changing and as such no guarantee can be offered that it is correct or currently valid — the information is provided as a guide, and it is always suggested that you do a little research to ensure you have the latest and most accurate information. View the references or bibliography. Feedback and comments on the information provided are always welcome.