PARK WATCH Article December 2024 |

Herring Cale (Olisthops cyanomelas)

Like salt and vinegar, gin and tonic, or cops and donuts, Herring Cale and kelp are a perfect pairing. You’ll only find Herring Cale swimming and feeding among the large brown algae that form the backbone of Australia’s Great Southern Reef.

These unique members of the wrasse family have fused teeth that give them a beak-like appearance, perfect for nibbling on kelp. Unlike most wrasse, they aren’t born female with the ability to change sex later in life. Instead, they are born either male or female – and stay that way. Weird, right?

Males, true to wrasse fashion, are the flashier of the two, sporting a striking blue-black hue with iridescent blue lines and spots. Females, on the other hand, blend in better with their kelp surroundings, showing off a brown-golden colour with white spots.

As the waters warm up, these fish get frisky. Males establish territories and vigorously flick their tails in hopes of impressing every female that passes their way. Mating is a dynamic affair: pairs swim a few meters above the kelp, spawn at the top of the arc, and then dart back down – or in the case of the male, off to find another mate. Fun fact: one male has been seen spawning with two females in just five minutes!

Spotting them can be tricky but rewarding. Look for large brown algae beds and search the among the blades for the females while keeping your eyes peeled for a flash of blue and black as the males dart about.