Skip to content

Search

Popular pages

How to catch Blue maomao

Scorpis violacea (Hutton, 1873)

About Blue maomao fishing

The blue maomao is a marine ray-finned fish belonging to the sea chub family Kyphosidae, featuring a short, deep and laterally compressed body with a distinctively forked tail. Adults showcase a deep blue dorsal coloration fading to pale ventral sides, while juveniles appear grey with a yellow anal fin. This species inhabits shallow inshore waters down to 30 metres depth around rocky reefs and coastal structures in the southwestern Pacific. Operating primarily as a schooling zooplankter feeder equipped with small teeth, it occasionally grazes on benthic algae when plankton levels drop. Spawning occurs during spring months, and individuals can attain a maximum lifespan of 15 years. Valued as both a commercial catch and a popular recreational game fish, it attracts anglers seeking active coastal sport.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    30 cm

  • Habitat

    Saltwater

  • Season

    Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

  • Also known as

    Blue sweep, Hardbelly, Violet sweep

Blue maomao

Blue coloration

Deep blue overall body coloration characteristic of this pelagic sweep.

Deeply forked tail

Strongly forked caudal fin indicates fast swimming ability in open water.

Terminal mouth

Slightly oblique terminal mouth adapted for feeding on plankton.

Blue maomao fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    30 cm (max 40 cm FL )

  • Typical weight

    0.2 kg (max 0.7 kg )

  • Preferred temperature

    14.1–23.3 °C

  • Depth

    0–30 m

  • Longevity

    15 years

  • Body shape

    Short And / Or Deep

  • Vulnerability score

    34.4

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Peak

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Active

  • Midday

    High sun

    Low

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Active

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Peak

  • Night

    After dark

    Low

When to fish for Blue maomao

01
January
02
February
03
March
04
April
05
May
06
June
07
July
08
August
09
September
10 Now
October
11
November
12
December

How to catch Blue maomao

Tips for catching Blue maomao

Target these schooling coastal fish around shallow rocky headlands, kelp beds, and inshore reefs where they gather to feed on drifting organisms. Because they possess small mouths and feed primarily on planktonic prey, presentation is critical; use light tackle equipped with small hooks baited with tiny pieces of shrimp or prawn. Float fishing with a delicately weighted rig allows the bait to drift naturally at the same speed as the surrounding current, mimicking suspended food particles. Early morning and late afternoon hours offer the most reliable sport as fish become more active near the surface, occasionally creating visible feeding activity.

Other names for Blue maomao

Local and alternate names anglers use for Blue maomao.

  • Blue maomao
  • Violet sweep
  • Hardbelly
  • Blue sweep

Best equipment to catch Blue maomao

Compare fishing methods for Blue maomao — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 0.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Blue maomao

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

Where Blue maomao spends the year — Non-migratory

Stays in the same waters year-round. Look for it on the same grounds rather than timing a run.

Where Blue maomao spends the year — Non-migratory 1. Eggs: Laid on the home grounds. 2. Juveniles: Grow up close by. 3. Adults: Keep to a small home range. 4. Spawners: Spawn on the same grounds, with only short moves.
Same water all year

1 Eggs

Same water all year

Laid on the home grounds.

2 Juveniles

Same water all year

Grow up close by.

3 Adults

Same water all year

Keep to a small home range.

4 Spawners

Same water all year

Spawn on the same grounds, with only short moves.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Diet and behavior of Blue maomao

  • Diet

    Carnivore

  • Hunts

    Dawn · Dusk

  • Feeds over

    Coral reefs

Where Blue maomao lives

Lives near the bottom but swims in the water just above it. Cover the lower column, not only the mud.

Habitats
Saltwater
Depth zone
Sublittoral
Continental shelf · 0–30 m
Water column
Benthopelagic
Just above the bed

Where this species lives

Where to fish for Blue maomao

Mapped fishing spots where Blue maomao is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.

Orehauwai Channel

WhangāreiNorthlandNew Zealand

Pataua River

WhangāreiNorthlandNew Zealand