Yellow-edged lyretail grouper (Variola louti)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Variola louti
- Common name
- Yellow-edged lyretail grouper
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Epinephelidae
- Genus
- Variola
- Size
- 40–80 cm
- Depth
- 4–150 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, predator
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Variola louti reaches 80 cm. Large grouper with red-orange to purplish body covered with small blue-ringed spots (resembles C. miniata but larger), characteristic lunar crescent (lyrate) caudal tail marked with yellow-green band on edge. Lives from 4 to 150 m on coral reefs of entire Indo-Pacific. Ambush territorial predator. Protogynous hermaphrodite. Important commercial and artisanal fishery. Possible ciguatera depending on zone. Signature photo subject for unique silhouette.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Yellow-edged lyretail grouper?
- Yellow-edged lyretail grouper (Variola louti) reaches 40–80 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Yellow-edged lyretail grouper?
- Yellow-edged lyretail grouper is found between 4–150 m deep.
- Is the Yellow-edged lyretail grouper dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Yellow-edged lyretail grouper?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Yellow-edged lyretail grouper?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Variola
Other species in the family Epinephelidae
- Epinephelus marginatus - Dusky grouper
- Epinephelus itajara - Atlantic goliath grouper
- Cephalopholis fulva - Coney
- Epinephelus striatus - Nassau grouper
- Cephalopholis cruentata - Graysby
- Mycteroperca tigris - Tiger grouper
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 218304)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2389100)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia