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White-edged lyretail (Variola albimarginata) — Serranidae

White-edged lyretail

Variola albimarginata
Family: Serranidae

The White-edged lyretail (Variola albimarginata) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 65 cm.

Length
65 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
4–200 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Mayotte, Fiji and others
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The white-edged lyretail is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 65 cm and has an elongate, red-brown body dotted with small pink to violet spots and a striking lyre-shaped tail with a narrow white margin. As a predator it shelters by day near coral and hunts smaller fish and crustaceans. In some areas it may carry ciguatera; on contact the fish is harmless.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the White-edged lyretail?

The White-edged lyretail has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the White-edged lyretail live?

The White-edged lyretail lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Mayotte, Fiji and others

How big does the White-edged lyretail get?

The White-edged lyretail grows to a maximum of about 65 cm.

Is the White-edged lyretail dangerous to humans?

No, the White-edged lyretail is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the White-edged lyretail edible?

The White-edged lyretail is rarely eaten.

More photos

White-edged lyretail (Variola albimarginata) — Serranidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY-SA 3.0)
White-edged lyretail (Variola albimarginata) — Serranidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Gomen See, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
White-edged lyretail (Variola albimarginata) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
White-edged lyretail (Variola albimarginata) — Serranidae — 5
cello caruso-turiello (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist

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All data

Identification

English name
White-edged lyretail sourced
Scientific name
Variola albimarginata
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Lunar-tailed grouper; Lyre-tail cod; Lyretail grouper; Lyretail trout; Whitemargin lyretail grouper; Grouper; Lyre-tail trout; Moontail seabass; Painted coral trout; White-edge coronation trout; White-edged lunartail; White-edged lyretail-cod verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
65 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate)

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
4 verified
Max depth (m)
200 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Mayotte, Fiji and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Variola

More from the family Serranidae

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