Classification / Names Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa

Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) > Perciformes (Perch-likes) > Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets) > Epinephelinae
Etymology: Variola: Latin, variolus = pustule, pock (Ref. 45335).

Environment / Climate / Range Ecology

Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 3 - 250 m (Ref. 30573), usually 15 - ? m (Ref. 5222). Tropical; 30°N - 37°S, 30°E - 23°W (Ref. 5222)

Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age

Maturity: L_m ?, range 41 - ? cm
Max length : 83.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 40637); common length : 75.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5450); max. published weight: 12.0 kg (Ref. 5222)

Short description Morphology | Morphometrics

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Juveniles conspicuous by the white line over the snout (Ref. 48635).

Distribution Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions | Faunafri

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to South Africa and the Pitcairn Islands, north to southern Japan, south to New South Wales, Australia. Not found in the Persian Gulf nor in Hawaii.

Usually seen in clear-water areas at depths below 15 m, and prefers islands and offshore reefs rather than continental shores. Feeds mainly on fishes, and on crabs, shrimps and stomatopods. It is highly appreciated for the quality of its flesh. It may not be sold in Mauritius because of cases of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 11888). In the Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253).

Main reference Upload your references | References | Coordinator : Heemstra, Phillip C. | Collaborators

Heemstra, P.C. and J.E. Randall, 1993. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 16. Groupers of the world (family Serranidae, subfamily Epinephelinae). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of the grouper, rockcod, hind, coral grouper and lyretail species known to date. Rome: FAO. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(16):382 p.

IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 90363)

Least Concern (LC) , IUCN Grouper and Wrasse Specialist Group

Threat to humans

Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 4690)

Human uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial

FAO(fisheries: production; publication : search) | FisheriesWiki | Sea Around Us

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Internet sources

Estimates of some properties based on empirical models

Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82805): PD₅₀ = 0.7500 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].

Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01019 (-0.07983 - 0.10022), b=3.04 (2.97 - 3.10), based on LWR estimates for species & family-BS (Ref. 93245).

Trophic Level (Ref. 69278): 4.3 ±0.8 se; Based on diet studies.

Resilience (Ref. 69278): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.18).

Vulnerability (Ref. 59153): Moderate to high vulnerability (49 of 100) .

Price category (Ref. 80766): Very high.

Variola louti (Forsskål, 1775)