White-edge Coronation Trout, Variola albimarginata Baissac, 1953

Scientific name: Variola albimarginata
Alternative name/s:
Lyretail Grouper, Lyretail Trout, White-edged Lyretail, White-fringed Moontail-bass
White-edge Coronation Trout, Variola albimarginata Click to enlarge image
A White-edge Coronation Trout, Variola albimarginata, at a depth of 16m, "Lighthouse", Ribbon Reef #10, Great Barrier Reef off Cooktown, Queensland, June 2002. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Variola
    Species
    albimarginata
    Family
    Serranidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 60 cm in length.

Introduction

The White-edge Coronation Trout can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West Pacific.

Identification

The White-edge Coronation Trout can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. It has yellow wavy lines and bluish to purple spots on the body. The head is orange with reddish spots. The median fins have red to purple spots. The central caudal fin rays have white tips that form a line along the fin margin.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West Pacific. In Australia it is known from off the Northern Territory and the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Paxton, J.R., D.F. Hoese, G.R. Allen & J.E. Hanley. 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol.7 Pisces Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra: Australian Biological Resources Survey. Pp. i-xii, 1-665.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.