Studies on the groupers over a two year period showed the prevalence of nematode infestation in gonads during post monsoon months. Incidences of gonad atrophy were also noted leading to isolation of the nematode and identification upto generic level. Variola louti commonly called Yellow edged lyretail is a species contributing to the hooks and line fishery was seen to be infected with Philometroid sp. Seven gonad infecting species of philometrid nematodes of the genus Philometra Costa, 1845, have been reported from a variety of marine fishes belonging to different families from the Indian Ocean region. Since the nematode is very specific to each fish further studies are essential for its identification.

Keywords: Philometra, nematode, Variola