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Banana fusilier (Pterocaesio pisang) — Caesionidae

Banana fusilier

Pterocaesio pisang
Family: Caesionidae
LC · Least Concern

The Banana fusilier (Pterocaesio pisang) is a saltwater fish of the family Caesionidae that grows up to 21 cm.

Length
21 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; around coral reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The banana fusilier is a fusilier (Caesionidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a slender, streamlined body that is bluish to reddish with a lighter belly and dark tail tips. It ranges widely around coral reefs and sometimes forms schools with other fusiliers. As a fast planktivore it captures zooplankton from the open water above and along the reef. It is a food fish and is used as bait. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banana fusilier?

The Banana fusilier has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Fast plankton feeder that roams widely around reefs, sometimes in mixed shoals with other fusiliers.

Where does the Banana fusilier live?

The Banana fusilier lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; around coral reefs.

How big does the Banana fusilier get?

The Banana fusilier grows to a maximum of about 21 cm. On average the species is around 14 cm.

Is the Banana fusilier dangerous to humans?

No, the Banana fusilier is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Banana fusilier edible?

Yes, the Banana fusilier is commonly eaten.

More photos

Banana fusilier (Pterocaesio pisang) — Caesionidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Banana fusilier (Pterocaesio pisang) — Caesionidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Banana fusilier (Pterocaesio pisang) — Caesionidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Banana fusilier (Pterocaesio pisang) — Caesionidae — 5
Debra Baker (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Banana fusilier verified
Scientific name
Pterocaesio pisang
Family
Caesionidae
Other names
Banana fusilier; Bananafish; Bleeker's fusilier; Ruddy fusilier; Fusilier verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; around coral reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton from the open water sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Fast plankton feeder that roams widely around reefs, sometimes in mixed shoals with other fusiliers. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pterocaesio

More from the family Caesionidae

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