Blue moki (Latridopsis ciliaris) is a species of marine ray finned fish belonging to the family Latridae, the trumpeters. It is native to the southwestern Pacific Ocean around New Zealand and occasionally off southeastern Australia at depths of 10 metres (33 ft) and greater.

A firm, white flesh fish, that holds its shape well when cooked. Blue Moki is a type of Trumpeter found throughout mainland waters of New Zealand. Most commonly caught by trawl or set nets off the east coast from the Bay of Plenty to Kaikoura.

The moki is a much under-rated fish in the northern waters of New Zealand but is a main targeted species in the south. The usual colour is blue-grey with shades of brown and one or two large brownish blotches below the dorsal fins.

Blue moki (Latridopsis ciliaris) is a species of marine ray finned fish belonging to the family Latridae, the trumpeters. It is native to the southwestern Pacific Ocean around New Zealand and occasionally off southeastern Australia at depths of 10 metres (33 ft) and greater.

Mar 24, 2025 · The blue Moki is the most common Moki, although there are several related though much rarer species of Moki such as the copper and red Moki. To make matters even more confusing they change colour throughout their lives with the backs of younger fish being more of a green or even coppery brown.

Blue moki are predominately found in the southern NZ climes but can be found lurking right around the country’s east coast. They are a species of the trumpeter family, featuring the same distinctive fleshy lips on their downward-facing mouths that their tarakihi and porae relatives have.

Recent outings on the tail of autumn and early winter have seen me successfully capturing a few moki, and so have my friends, some of whom are first-time moki hunters. The following outlines some of the techniques picked up and the observations I’ve made while targeting blue moki.

Temperate; 29°S - 45°S, 144°E - 175°W. Southwest Pacific: New Zealand and southern Australia. Most adults form school offshore over mainly open bottom. Some adults do not school but remain around reefs. Juveniles occur inshore, usually around rocky reefs. Paulin, C., A. Stewart, C. Roberts and P. McMillan, 1989. New Zealand fish: a complete guide.

The blue moki, Latridopsis ciliaris, is a marine fish found around New Zealand and southern Australia. Recognizable by its robust body and blue-gray color, it inhabits offshore reefs and rocky areas. This species is popular in commercial fisheries and recreational fishing due to its good taste and firm flesh.

Blue Moki are large bottom living fish, which are common in Southern NZ. It can attain a maximum size of about 1 m and over 10kg in weight. It is a moderately deep bodied fish, with a long low dorsal and anal fins and a deeply forked tail.