'Blue bastard': newly recognised fish is blue when adult and 'a bastard to catch'

Queensland scientist Jeff Johnson, who identified species from photos, formally christens combative reef fish Plectorhinchus caeruleonothus

The "blue bastard", an elusive and uniquely combative reef fish from northern Australia, long known only in fishing folklore, has been recognised officially by science.

Queensland Museum scientist Jeff Johnson, who identified the species from photos taken last year by a Weipa fisherman, has formally christened it Plectorhinchus caeruleonothus - a direct Latin translation of the colloquial name anglers bestowed on a fish famously difficult to land.