Reeflings

Common name: Lyretail grouper

Scientific name: Variola louti (Forsskål, 1775)
Vibrant coloured tropical fishcoral and lyretail grouper
Variola louti in a coral reef in the Red SeaLyre tail grouper, Variola louti, Raja Ampat Indonesia

General information

The Yellow-edged Lyretail, scientifically known as Variola louti, is a striking species of grouper that is admired for its vibrant coloration and dynamic behavior. This fish is characterized by its deep blue to purple body, bright yellow edges on its fins, and the distinctive lyre-shaped tail from which its common name is derived. It is a member of the family Serranidae, which includes groupers and sea basses.

In the wild, Variola louti is a top predator, feeding on a variety of smaller fish and invertebrates. Due to its size and predatory nature, it's essential for hobbyists to consider tank mates carefully to avoid any potential conflicts.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
500 liter (130 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.026
Temperature
22 to 28 °C (72 to 82 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
70 cm (2′4″)
Care level
Moderate to difficult Sensitive to water quality.
Diet
Carnivore Prefers meaty foods, live feeders.
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept alone.
Reefsafe
No May prey on smaller fish, inverts.
Aggression
Semi aggresive Can be aggressive, especially to conspecifics.
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Groupers
    Serranidae
  6. Genus
    Coral Grouper
    Variola
  7. Species
    Lyretail grouper
    Variola louti (Forsskål, 1775)
  8. Synonyms
    Epinephelus louti (Forsskål, 1775)
    Labrus punctulatus Lacepède, 1801
    Perca louti Forsskål, 1775
    Serranus cernipedis Miranda Ribeiro, 1913
    Serranus flavimarginatus Rüppell, 1830
    Serranus longipinna Swainson, 1839
    Serranus louti (Forsskål, 1775)
    Serranus luti (Forsskål, 1775)
    Serranus melanotaenia Bleeker, 1857
    Serranus phaenistomus Swainson, 1839
    Serranus punctulatus (Lacepède, 1801)
    Serranus roseus Valenciennes, 1828
    Variola longipinna (Swainson, 1839)
    Variola melanotaenia (Bleeker, 1857)
    Variola punctulatus (Lacepède, 1801)

Care

The Yellow-edged Lyretail requires a spacious aquarium to accommodate its size, which can reach up to 60 centimeters (24 inches) in length. A tank of at least 500 liters (132 gallons) is recommended. This species thrives in a well-structured environment with plenty of hiding places and room to swim. Stable water quality and a varied diet of meaty foods are crucial for maintaining the health of this grouper.

Reproduction

In the wild, Variola louti exhibits protogynous hermaphroditism, where individuals start life as females and can change to males as they mature. Breeding in captivity is rare and challenging due to the large space required for their courtship behavior and the difficulty in sexing individuals.

Habitat

Variola louti is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. It prefers reef environments, often seen in lagoons and on outer reef slopes, typically at depths ranging from 2 to 150 meters (6 to 492 feet).