Yellow and Blueback Fusilier, Caesio teres (Seale, 1906)

Scientific name: Caesio teres
  • Updated
    22/02/19
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Yellow and Blueback Fusilier Click to enlarge image
A Yellow and Blueback Fusilier at a depth of 17m, at "Pixie's Pinnacle", Ribbon Reefs, north of Port Douglas, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, December 1999. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Caesio
    Species
    teres
    Family
    Lutjanidae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 40cm in length.

Introduction

The Yellow and Blueback Fusilier has a brilliant yellow tail, upper back and posterior region of the dorsal fin. The rest of the body is bright blue above and white below. The pectoral, pelvic and anal fins are white. The upper base of the pectoral fin is black.

Identification

The Yellow and Blueback Fusilier has a brilliant yellow tail, upper back and posterior region of the dorsal fin. The rest of the body is bright blue above and white below. The pectoral, pelvic and anal fins are white. The upper base of the pectoral fin is black.

Habitat

It occurs on coral reefs.

Distribution

The Yellow and Blueback Fusilier occurs throughout the Indo-west and central Pacific.

In Australia it is known from north-western Western Australia and from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

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

Feeding and diet

It feeds on zooplankton in the midwater above the coral.

Other behaviours and adaptations

The Yellow and Blueback Fusilier is a schooling species.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. 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.