Species
Blue Bastard
Plectorhinchus caeruleonothus
Also known as blue sweetlip
Tier 3Eating7/10medium tackleQLDWANT
0 waypoints50–80 cm (max 100 cm) typical
Overview: about blue bastard
Pale-blue tropical sweetlip of northern Australia, recently described as a separate species. Notoriously hard to hook on the flats — a coveted fly target in the Kimberley and NT. Smart, spooky, hard fighters.
Biology: Blue Bastard size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Flats, Inshore, Reef
- Typical size
- 50–80 cm (max 100 cm)
- Weight
- 2–8 kg
- Depth range
- 0–30 m
- Diet
- crustaceans, fish
- Global range
- Northern Australia
How to target: Blue Bastard angling strategies
Generally fished with medium tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- small flies and soft plastics on flats
- sight-cast tactics
Safety & handling
Ciguatera risk: lowAvoid eating large specimens from tropical reefs. Risk varies by region and individual fish — when in doubt, release.
Conservation
IUCN: Data Deficient
Recent community catches: anglers who caught blue bastard
No blue bastard catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
More information: blue bastard references & sources
Saved.