Animal Species:Doubleline Fusilier, Pterocaesio digramma (Bleeker, 1865)

The Doubleline Fusilier is a slender species that is usually seen swimming in schools well above the bottom.

Doubleline Fusiliers at Phil's Reef

Doubleline Fusiliers at Phil's Reef
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Black-tipped Fusilier, Two-sptripe Fusilier, Twin Yellow-striped Fusilier

Identification

The Doubleline Fusilier can usually be recognised by its colouration. During the day it is blue to green dorsally, white ventrally and has black caudal fin tips. At night the colouration changes to that seen in the lower image.

There are always two yellow stripes running along the sides of the body. The upper stripe runs from the nape to the caudal peduncle, following the dorsal body profile. The lower stripe follows the lateral line from the eye to the caudal fin base.

It is often listed in publications as P.diagramma (with an 'a' as the third letter). This spelling is incorrect.

Size range

The species grows to about 30cm in length.

Distribution

The species is recorded from Indonesia to New Caledonia and north to southern Japan. In Australia it occurs off central to north-western Western Australia and from northern Queensland to the central coast of New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Pterocaesio digramma

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Doubleline Fusilier specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It lives on coral reefs where it schools in midwater.

Classification

Species:
digramma
Genus:
Pterocaesio
Family:
Lutjanidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of north-western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. Carpenter, K. E. 1988. FAO species catalog. Vol. 8. Fusilier fishes of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of caesionid species known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. No. 125: i-iv + 1-75.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Doubleline Fusilier, Pterocaesio digramma, Lutjanidae, slender, schooling species, Black-tipped Fusilier, Two-sptripe Fusilier, Twin Yellow-striped Fusilier, changes colour, blue, green, black tips, yellow stripes, stripes or bands, 10 cm - 30 cm, coral reef, marine,