Fish diurnal

Redlip morwong

Goniistius rubrolabiatus

With its bold 'pout' and striking banded pattern, the Redlip morwong is a charismatic staple of the Australian coastline. Often found resting on its fins like a sentinel of the reef, this curious fish is a favorite for backyard divers and coastal observers alike.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Typically grows to 30–40 cm (12–16 inches) in length, weighing up to 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs).

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Colors

Pale brownish-grey base with 5-6 dark vertical bands; characterized by distinctive fleshy red or orange-red lips and reddish-tinged fins.

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Key Features

Prominent fleshy red or orange lips
Five to six dark brown vertical bands across the body
Thickened lower pectoral fin rays used for 'perching' on rocks
Relatively large, high-set eyes

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet A carnivorous bottom-feeder that preys on small invertebrates, including polychaete worms, amphipods, small crabs, and mollusks sifted from the sand or algae.

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Habitat Shallow coastal rocky reefs, limestone ledges, and underneath suburban jetties or piers, usually at depths of 1 to 20 meters.

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Behavior

The Redlip morwong is a somewhat sedentary and curious reef dweller. Unlike many fish that swim constantly to maintain position, morwongs are famous for 'propping' themselves up on the seafloor using their specialized, thickened pectoral fin rays. They spend much of their day stationary, watching their surroundings with large, mobile eyes, which makes them an exceptionally rewarding subject for underwater photographers and stationary cameras.

While they are generally solitary, they are not particularly shy of humans or foreign objects. They are known to follow larger stingrays or human divers who disturb the seabed, hoping to snatch up any small invertebrates uncovered in the process. Their social structure is loose, and while they aren't schooling fish, you will often find several individuals inhabiting the same section of a limestone reef or jetty structure.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Redlip morwong requires an underwater housing or a specialized waterproof trail camera. Because these fish are bottom-dwellers, your camera should be mounted as low as possible. Aim for a 'worm’s-eye view' by securing the camera to a weighted base or a low-lying rock ledge. This angle captures their most famous feature—the red lips—and their unique habit of 'standing' on their fins. If you are filming under a jetty, position the camera near the pylons where they like to shelter from the surge.

To attract a Redlip morwong to your lens, a small amount of 'berley' or bait can work wonders. Crushed sea urchin or a small mesh bag of pilchards secured just in front of the camera's focal point will draw them in. They are highly opportunistic and will often stay in front of the camera for several minutes to investigate the scent, providing excellent high-definition footage. Since they are most active during the day, ensure your camera is positioned to take advantage of overhead sunlight, which helps penetrate the water and highlight their red markings.

Check your camera settings for a high frame rate (at least 60fps) if your device allows it. Even though the morwong moves slowly, the surge of the ocean can cause swaying seaweed or bubbles that might trigger a standard motion sensor or blur the image. A faster shutter speed or higher frame rate will keep the fish sharp against the moving background. If the water is murky, try to place the camera within 12-18 inches of the bait to ensure the bands and lip color remain visible in the recording.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Redlip morwong.

Magpie Morwong

Has much higher contrast black and white bands and lacks the namesake red lips of the Redlip morwong.

Dusky Morwong

Grows much larger (up to 1.2m) and has a more uniform grey-brown color without the distinct vertical banding.

Western Gregory

A much smaller, darker reef fish that is more aggressive and lacks the 'perching' pectoral fins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Redlip morwong are diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours. They are most easily spotted between mid-morning and mid-afternoon when the sun provides the best visibility for them to forage for small invertebrates on the reef floor.

You can attract them by placing a small amount of crushed shellfish or oily fish bait in a mesh bag near your underwater camera. They are naturally curious and will often investigate disturbed sand or scent trails in search of an easy meal.

They are carnivores that feed on benthic invertebrates. Their diet mainly consists of small crustaceans, marine worms, and tiny mollusks that they find by sifting through sand or picking through the turf algae on rocks.

Yes, they are very common around suburban coastal structures in Western Australia, such as the jetties in Perth and Fremantle, as well as shallow limestone reefs accessible from popular swimming beaches.

While both have vertical bands, the Redlip morwong has unmistakable bright red or orange lips and brownish bands. The Magpie morwong has stark black and white bands and lacks the bright red lip coloration.

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