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Black-tip fusilier (Pterocaesio digramma) — Caesionidae

Black-tip fusilier

Pterocaesio digramma
Family: Caesionidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black-tip fusilier (Pterocaesio digramma) is a saltwater fish of the family Caesionidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; around coral reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The double-lined fusilier is a fusilier (Caesionidae) from the western Pacific. The species has a slender, streamlined, bluish body with two yellow lengthwise lines and a deeply forked tail; at rest it can turn bright red. It occurs in coastal areas, mainly around coral reefs, and forms large schools in open midwater. With its protrusible mouth it plucks zooplankton from the water column. It is a bait and food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black-tip fusilier?

The Black-tip fusilier has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Two yellow longitudinal lines; can turn bright red at rest, schooling plankton-eating fusilier.

Where does the Black-tip fusilier live?

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

How big does the Black-tip fusilier get?

The Black-tip fusilier grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Black-tip fusilier dangerous to humans?

No, the Black-tip fusilier is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Black-tip fusilier edible?

Yes, the Black-tip fusilier is commonly eaten.

More photos

Black-tip fusilier (Pterocaesio digramma) — Caesionidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — self (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Black-tip fusilier (Pterocaesio digramma) — Caesionidae — 3
asho (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Black-tip fusilier (Pterocaesio digramma) — Caesionidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Debra Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Black-tip fusilier (Pterocaesio digramma) — Caesionidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) michaelbaileyblackswan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Black-tip fusilier verified
Scientific name
Pterocaesio digramma
Family
Caesionidae
Other names
Black-tipped fusilier; Darkbanded fusilier; Double stripe fusilier; Doubleline fusilier; Double-lined fusilier; Fusilier; Two-stripe fusilier; Yellow-striped fusilier verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; around coral reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton from the water column 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
Two yellow longitudinal lines; can turn bright red at rest, schooling plankton-eating fusilier. 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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