{"product_id":"red-louti-grouper-variola-louti","title":"Louti (Cherry) Grouper","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Louti (Cherry) Grouper is a spectacular predatory saltwater fish prized for its intense red to reddish-orange coloration, dense pattern of blue to lavender spots, and vivid yellow edging along the dorsal, anal, and deeply forked tail fins. Juveniles can appear darker and more contrasting, while mature specimens develop the elongated, lyre-shaped tail and brilliant coloration that make this species especially impressive in large marine displays.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVariola louti\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, also known as the Yellow-Edged Lyretail Grouper, is widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa across to the central Pacific. It inhabits coral-rich outer reef slopes and offshore reef environments, where it actively patrols for smaller fish and crustaceans. Adults can reach roughly 32–33 inches, making this a very large grouper that requires substantial long-term housing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Cherry Grouper is best suited to spacious fish-only or fish-only-with-live-rock aquariums containing large, robust tankmates. Although it generally does not target coral tissue, its highly predatory nature and considerable adult size make it unsuitable for conventional community reef aquariums.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 300 gallons\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Aggressive \/ Predatory\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiet:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Carnivore\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e No\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRegion:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVariola louti\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvide a very large marine aquarium with extensive horizontal swimming space. Unlike some heavier-bodied groupers that spend much of their time close to caves, the Louti Grouper is an active reef predator and benefits from long, unobstructed swimming lanes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArrange sturdy rockwork along the sides and rear of the aquarium to create caves, overhangs, and sheltered resting areas without filling the entire system with dense structures. All rockwork should be securely positioned to withstand contact from a powerful adult fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrong biological filtration, efficient protein skimming, vigorous circulation, and excellent oxygenation are recommended. Mature specimens consume substantial amounts of food and can produce a correspondingly heavy bioload.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiet and Feeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Louti Grouper is a carnivore that feeds primarily on fish, along with shrimp, crabs, and other crustaceans.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn captivity, offer a varied marine-based diet including shrimp, krill, squid, clam, mussel, scallop, and appropriately sized pieces of marine fish flesh. High-quality frozen carnivore preparations can also be incorporated.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYoung specimens can be offered smaller meals more frequently, while established adults generally do well with substantial meals several times per week. Adjust feeding frequency according to body condition and avoid chronic overfeeding.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFreshwater feeder fish should not be used as a staple food source. A varied diet based on marine seafood provides more appropriate long-term nutrition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament and Tankmates\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Cherry Grouper is an aggressive, territorial predator. Any fish small enough to fit into its exceptionally large mouth should be considered potential prey.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable tankmates can include large triggerfish, tangs, angelfish, puffers, large wrasses, and other robust predator-community species. Tankmates should be selected according to the grouper's eventual adult size rather than its size at purchase.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUse caution with other large groupers and territorial predators. A single specimen is generally the most practical choice unless the aquarium is exceptionally spacious.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Louti Grouper is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enot considered reef safe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt does not typically consume coral tissue, but smaller reef fish, ornamental shrimp, crabs, and other appropriately sized animals are at substantial risk of predation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts large adult size and powerful swimming behavior can also disturb unsecured rockwork and delicate coral colonies. This species is considerably better suited to fish-only or fish-only-with-live-rock displays.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 75–80°F\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecific Gravity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1.024–1.026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 8.1–8.4\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlkalinity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 8–12 dKH \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaintain excellent water quality with strong oxygenation and stable salinity. Consistency is more important than targeting a single exact value, particularly in a large predator system with a substantial bioload.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Considerations\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery large adult size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Adults can exceed 30 inches, requiring substantial permanent housing.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHighly predatory:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Smaller fish, shrimp, crabs, and other potential prey may be swallowed.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eActive swimming behavior:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Generous horizontal swimming room is particularly important for this species.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeavy bioload:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Powerful filtration and efficient protein skimming are essential as the fish matures.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLong-term tankmate planning:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Choose companions based on the grouper's full adult size and feeding capabilities, not its juvenile appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TSA Fish","offers":[{"title":"S (2.1-2.5\")","offer_id":50971463811370,"sku":"GROxCherS","price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"SM (2.6-3.5\")","offer_id":52821199520042,"sku":"GROxCherSM","price":110.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"M (3.6-4.5\")","offer_id":52821199552810,"sku":"GROxCherM","price":122.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"ML (4.6-5.5\")","offer_id":52821199585578,"sku":"GROxCherML","price":182.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"L (5.6-6.5\")","offer_id":52821199618346,"sku":"GROxCherL","price":236.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XL (6.6-7.5\")","offer_id":52821199651114,"sku":"GROxCherX","price":284.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/Louti-Cherry-Grouper.png?v=1790955441","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/red-louti-grouper-variola-louti","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}