ANIMAL SPECIES:Louvar, Luvarus imperialis (Rafinesque, 1810)
The Louvar is a stout, oval-shaped fish that occurs in tropical and subtropical waters of all oceans.
Alternative Name/s
Loo, Luvaru, Silver KingIdentification
The Louvar has a stout oval-shaped body that tapers to a narrow caudal peduncle. It has a small mouth, and eyes that are positioned low on the head. The body is silver and the fins are pink.
It is the only species in the family Luvaridae.
Size range
The Louvar grows to 2 m in length and 150 kg in weight.Distribution
The Louvar occurs in tropical and subtropical waters of all oceans.
In Australia it is recorded from off northern to southern New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Louvar specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
The species lives its entire life in the open sea.
Behaviour and adaptations
Life cycle
Females produce huge number of eggs. A 1.7 m long individual was estimated to contain 47.5 million eggs.
Classification
- Species:
- imperialis
- Genus:
- Luvarus
- Family:
- Luvaridae
- Order:
- Perciformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Johnson, G.D. & A.C. Gill. in Paxton, J.R. & W.N. Eschmeyer (Eds). 1994. Encyclopedia of Fishes. Sydney: New South Wales University Press; San Diego: Academic Press [1995]. Pp. 240.
- Nelson, J.S., 1994. Fishes of the World, third edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Pp: 600.
- Tyler, J.C., Johnson, G.D., Nakamura, I. & B.B. Collette. 1989. Morphology of Luvarus imperialis (Luvaridae), with a phylogenetic analysis of the Acanthuroidei (Pisces). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 485: 1-78.
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A Louvar on the beach near Eden View full size
Ian Merrington
© NSW DPI
A Louvar washed up on Aislings Beach View full size
Ian Merrington
© NSW DPI
A Louvar on Aislings Beach View full size
Ian Merrington
© NSW DPI
A Louvar washed up near Eden View full size
Ian Merrington
© NSW DPI
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