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Variola louti (Forsskål, 1775)
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Variola louti (Forsskål, 1775)
  • Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
  • Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
  • Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
Genus: , ,

Scientific Name: Variola louti

English Name: Yellow-edged lyretail

Creole Name: Kwarsan/Gran ke

French Name: Croissant queue jaune

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)



Information

Description:

Dorsal spines: 9; Dorsal rays: 13-14; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 8.

Medium to large grouper with moderately elongate yet robust body. Broad peduncle. Distinctive lunate caudal fin with extended upper and lower lobes. Front of jaws with pair 
of large canines. 1-2 large curved canines on side of lower jaw. 

Colour. Varies from bright red or orange red to a dark reddish brown with numerous small round or elongated spots of blue to lavender or pink. These spots may align to give 
the impression of irregular wavy lines on the flanks. Ventral portions of head yellowish with red spots. Rear margin of median fins with distinctive and characteristic broad, 
bright yellow bands. Interspinous membrane of dorsal fin incised between first four spines and coloured yellow. Pectoral fins red to brown distal third yellow.  


Size:

Maturity: 47.6 cm unknown. Range 41 - ? cm. Max Length: 83 cm TL (some authors cite max of 100 cm TL).  
 


Habitat and Ecology:

Typically occurs in clear-water, coral reef habitats (depth range 3-250 m, usually deeper than 15 m); can also inhabit exposed reefs and reef crest and outer slope habitats. 
Feeds primarily on fishes but also crabs, shrimps and stomatopods. Forms spawning aggregations. 


Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the hand line fishery, it is a regular, sometimes abundant and economically important 
component of the catch. 


Notes:

 

 


References:

Craig, M.T. et al. (2011). Groupers of the World - a field and market guide. NISC (Pty) Ltd, South Africa. ISBN: 978-1-920033-11-8
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Variola-louti (16/03/19).
Nair, R. et al. (2018). Variola louti. The IUCN Red List 2018: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T132738A100572909.en. (16/03/19).
Nevill, J. (2013). A Species Identification Guide for Commonly Caught Fish in the Seychelles Near-Shore Artisanal Fishery. GOS/UNDP/GEF.


Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Variola louti, Yellow-edged lyretail. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/variola-louti-forsskal-1775/ (edited 09/08/22).  


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