Blue Maomao

The blue maomao is a compact, deep-bodied fish with violet-tinged flanks that give it its name. Found around rocky reefs and kelp forests in cooler southern waters, it typically hovers in small schools near the seafloor. Divers will recognize it by its distinctive profile—high dorsal fin and deep belly—and its tendency to dart away quickly if approached directly. These fish feed on small crustaceans and algae.