Teleostei (teleosts) >
Eupercaria/misc (Various families in series Eupercaria) >
Caesionidae (Fusiliers) > Caesioninae
Etymology: Pterocaesio: Greek, pteron = wing, fin + Latin, caesius = blue grey (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Dr John ‘Jack’ Ernest Randall Jr. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 30 m (Ref. 9710). Tropical; 15°N - 9°S, 94°E - 130°E (Ref. 402)
Indo-West Pacific: Laccadive Archipelago to the Philippines.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 25.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 402)
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12. Body blue-green to reddish dorsally, lighter ventrally; above pectoral fin is a large yellow blotch of variable size, roughly rhomboid in shape, the oblique side slanting anteriorly. 4 scales on cheek; 22-27 predorsal scales; scaled dorsal and anal fins; Upper peduncular scale rows usually 11-13 (11-14); lower peduncular scale rows usually 15 or 16 (15-17). Supra-temporal band of scales confluent at dorsal midline. basioccipital with a broad, flat process for attachment of Baudelot's ligament; processes not extending much more ventrally than rim of condyle. Post maxillary with 2 processes; posterior end of maxilla tapered (Ref. 1723). Head length 3.3-3.6 in SL; body depth 3.4-4.9 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
Ranges widely around coral reefs in school. Feeds on zooplankton in midwater aggregations. Oviparous, with numerous, small pelagic eggs (Ref. 402). Easily recognized from a distance by the bright yellow marking (Ref. 48636). Also caught by drive-in nets.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Carpenter, K.E., 1987. Revision of the Indo-Pacific fish family Caesionidae (Lutjanoidea), with descriptions of five new species. Indo-Pac. Fish. (15):56 p. (Ref. 1723)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
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