- EnglishName: Yellow-edgedlyretail;Moontailseabass
- Local Name : Kandu haa
- Size : Max. 81 cm
- Family: Order : Specimen
- Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 9 spines and 13-15 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 rays. Pectoral fin 16-19 rays. 15-18 lower gill rakers. Body depth 2.8 – 3.3 in standard length. Body oblong. Anterior inter- spinous membranes of dorsal fin slightly incised. Mid-lateral body scales ctenoid, without auxiliary scales. Pelvic fins of adults reach past anus. Caudal fin of adults very lunate.
Colour: Yellowish brown to orange-red. Head, body and median fins with numerous small irregular spots or streaks of pale blue, lavender or pink. Rear margins of median fins broadly yellow. Juveniles with irregular black stripe on upper side of head and body. - Habitat and Biology: Occurs on coral reefs at depths of 3-240 m, usually seen solitary in clear water areas at depths below 15 m. Feeds primarily on fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods.
- Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
- Remarks: Variola louti is commonly seen by divers and snorkellers along the reef slope. Underwater it
appears mainly violet in colour, some individuals being a most gorgeous deep purple.