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The Blue groper, known in scientific circles as the Achoerodus viridis, is in fact a Wrasse. Wrasses are a family of bright reef fish; all are born female. Blue Gropers begin their life as brown before becoming blue males later in life. They are large fish varying from 70 cm to 1 metre in length and weigh approximately 4 to 50 kilograms. They live on a diet of crabs and molluscs. They are commonly found around the beaches near Bondi and Bronte.

Blue Gropers tend to live in one area. The fish are known for their curious and friendly personalities and can be seen by many swimmers off North Bondi rocks and caves. They are now protected by fishing bans and are particularly loved by local divers. Blue Gropers have been protected since 1969, banning commercial and spearfishing, yet could still be caught via recreational line fishing, limited to 2 a day. This law was always ambiguous with the fishing community, questioning if areas such as the North Bondi rocks were considered a beach? In March 2024, after a series of spearfishing incidents involving the Blue Groper around Sydney, the NSW Department of Primary Industries implemented a 12-month trial “no take” policy by any method in regards to the Eastern Blue Groper.

In 1998, the Blue Groper became the NSW State fish emblem.