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Loo (Luvarus imperialis) — Luvaridae

Loo

Luvarus imperialis
Family: Luvaridae
LC · Least Concern

The Loo (Luvarus imperialis) is a saltwater fish of the family Luvaridae that grows up to 200 cm.

Length
200 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Worldwide in warm oceans; oceanic and epipelagic.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The louvar is a large oceanic fish and the only species of the family Luvaridae. The species can grow to nearly two metres and become heavy; it has a deep, pink to silvery body with a steep, bulging head, a small mouth and a reddish tinge on the fins. It lives oceanically and epipelagically, near the surface or in deeper water, and is usually solitary. It feeds mainly on jellyfishes, comb jellies and other gelatinous planktonic animals. Females produce millions of tiny, floating eggs. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Loo?

The Loo has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly pink-purple and shows a plain pattern. The only species of its family; bulging head; eats jellyfish; produces millions of floating eggs.

Where does the Loo live?

The Loo lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Worldwide in warm oceans; oceanic and epipelagic.

How big does the Loo get?

The Loo grows to a maximum of about 200 cm. On average the species is around 152 cm.

Is the Loo dangerous to humans?

No, the Loo is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Loo edible?

The Loo is rarely eaten.

More photos

Loo (Luvarus imperialis) — Luvaridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) wilkokoloko, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Loo (Luvarus imperialis) — Luvaridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — David Starr Jordan (Public domain)
Loo (Luvarus imperialis) — Luvaridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ralph Foster, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Loo (Luvarus imperialis) — Luvaridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) nagamichel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Loo verified
Scientific name
Luvarus imperialis
Family
Luvaridae
Other names
Louvar; Luvar; Luvaru; Silver king verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
200.0 verified
Average length (cm)
152.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 verified
Natural range
Worldwide in warm oceans; oceanic and epipelagic. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Jellyfish, comb jellies and gelatinous plankton animals sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
The only species of its family; bulging head; eats jellyfish; produces millions of floating eggs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling with lures or (dead/live) baitfish by trolling, casting or drift fishing in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0
Fin

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