The caudal fin has pale upper and lower margins[4] and the central rays of the caudal fin rays have white tips creating a thin white line along its margin.

[4] The white-edged lyretail is a generally uncommon species which is found either as a solitary fish or in small groups on the seaward edge of reefs.

The juveniles are found inshore on algae and soft coral reefs where they usually swim quite high in the water column like basslets[3] It is largely piscivorous.

[2] The white-edged lyretail was first formally described by J. de Baissac in 1953 with the type locality given as Mauritius.

[6] The white-edged lyretail is considered to be excellent eating but its relatively small size and scarcity mean that it is of little interest to fisheries.