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Fusilier (Caesio xanthonota) — Caesionidae

Fusilier

Caesio xanthonota
Family: Caesionidae
LC · Least Concern

The Fusilier (Caesio xanthonota) is a saltwater fish of the family Caesionidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The yellowback fusilier is a fusilier from the Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa and the Maldives to Indonesia. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a streamlined blue body with a broad yellow field running from the head over the whole back into the tail. By day it forms large, fast schools above coral reefs and in open water, where it catches zooplankton from the current. It is a valued food and bait fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fusilier?

The Fusilier has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Fusilier live?

The Fusilier lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Fusilier get?

The Fusilier grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Fusilier dangerous to humans?

No, the Fusilier is harmless to humans.

Is the Fusilier edible?

Yes, the Fusilier is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelrug-fuselier verified
English name
Fusilier verified
Scientific name
Caesio xanthonota
Family
Caesionidae
Other names
Yellowback fusilier verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Caesio

More from the family Caesionidae

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