10 photos - 8 species
Introduction
There are 4 genera and 23 species.
Fusiliers are named after the brightly uniformed soldiers of the 18th and 19th centuries.
They are pure plankton eaters that can be found in shoals.
They grow between 10 and 60 cm long, depending on the species.
Caesio caerulaurea
Blue and gold fusilier, Blue fusilier, Gold-band fusilier or
Scissor-tailed fusilier
Maximum length: 35 cm
Depth: 3 - 30 metres
A yellow lateral stripe extending from the head to the tail.
The tail is forked and has a black stripe in each lobe.
Photo 1 Johnny: Moalboal Philippines
Caesio lunaris
Lunar fisilier, Blue fusilier or Moon fusilier
Maximum length: 28 cm
Depth: 2 - 20 m
In groups over fringing reefs and reef areas, feeding on plankton.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Caesio striata
Striated fusilier
Maximum length: 18 cm
Depth: 1 - 40 m
It has 4 dark dorsal stripes and often lives in large schools
in the open water of deep lagoons and current-rich outer reefs.
Not very shy.
Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Caesio suevica
Suez fusilier
Maximum length: 25 cm
Depth: 1 - 20 m
Endemic to the Red Sea.
Easily recognised by the white edge in front of the black spots on the tips of the caudal fins.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Caesio teres
Yellow and blueback fusilier, Beautiful fusilier, Blue and gold fusilier or Yellow-tail fusilier
Maximum length: 30 cm
Depth: 2 - 15 m
Swim in shoals during the day, close together over rubble
and sandy areas as well as over shallow reefs.
Not very shy.
Photo 1 Johnny: Embudu Maldives
Caesio varilineata
Variable-lined fusilier or Thin-lined fusilier
Maximum length: 25 cm
Depth: 1 - 25 metres
This fusilier has 4 - 5 yellow stripes and black tail tips.
It lives in schools in the open water of lagoons, sheltered outer reefs and bays.
Often travelling with other fusilier species and likes to be close to boats.
As they are not very shy, divers can easily be circled by them.
Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Pterocaesio chrysozona
Gold-band fusilier, Yellow-band fusilier or Black-tipped fusilier
Maximum length: 18 cm
Depth: 3 - 25 metres
Yellow side stripes and red tail tips, lives in mixed schools in clear lagoons,
bays and outer reefs. Feeds on zooplankton.
Not very shy.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Pterocaesio tile
Dark-banded fusilier, Blue-streak fusilier, Bluedash fusilier or
Neon fusilier
Maximum length: 30 cm
Depth: 1 - 60 m
Broad blue body band, without black tail fin ends.
The lower half of the body is usually bright red.
Found in large schools along deep drop-offs and slopes.
Photo 1 Johnny: Bangka Island North Sulawesi