Common name: Lunar-tailed grouper
General information
The White-edged Lyretail, Variola albimarginata, is a species of grouper that is prized in the aquarium trade for its striking appearance and large size. This fish is known for its deep red to maroon coloration, with a distinctive white margin on the tail fin, hence the name. It is closely related to the more commonly known Red Coral Grouper, Variola louti.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 750 liter (200 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.026
- Temperature
- 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 7.8 to 8.4
- Average size
- 70 cm (2′4″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Needs large tank, frequent feedings
- Diet
- Carnivore Prefers meaty foods like shrimp
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone
- Reefsafe
- No May eat smaller fish, inverts
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Aggressive, especially during feeding
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyGroupersSerranidae
- GenusCoral GrouperVariola
- SpeciesLunar-tailed grouperVariola albimarginata Baissac, 1953
- SynonymsVariola albomarginata Baissac, 1953
Care
White-edged Lyretails are large and require spacious tanks to accommodate their size, which can reach up to 60 cm in length. They are predatory fish and need a diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. Care should be taken when introducing them into a community tank as they can be aggressive towards smaller fish and invertebrates.
Reproduction
In the wild, Variola albimarginata are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start life as females and can change to males as they mature. Breeding in captivity is rare and challenging, requiring large, well-established systems with expert care.
Habitat
The White-edged Lyretail is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea to South Africa and east to the Line Islands. They prefer steep outer reef slopes and drop-offs, typically at depths of 40 to 100 meters.