Home · Caesionidae · Blue-dash fusilier
Blue-dash fusilier (Pterocaesio tile) — Caesionidae

Blue-dash fusilier

Pterocaesio tile
Family: Caesionidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue-dash fusilier (Pterocaesio tile) is a saltwater fish of the family Caesionidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The bluestreak fusilier is a fast-swimming reef fish from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a streamlined, bluish body with a conspicuous blue-black longitudinal stripe and a reddish back; at night and under stress the belly turns red. It swims in large, fast schools over steep reef slopes and filters zooplankton from the open water. It is a valued food and bait fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-dash fusilier?

The Blue-dash fusilier has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Blue-black longitudinal stripe; fast schooling plankton filter-feeder

Where does the Blue-dash fusilier live?

The Blue-dash fusilier lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific

How big does the Blue-dash fusilier get?

The Blue-dash fusilier grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 21 cm.

Is the Blue-dash fusilier dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-dash fusilier is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Blue-dash fusilier edible?

Yes, the Blue-dash fusilier is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blue-dash fusilier (Pterocaesio tile) — Caesionidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Hectonichus (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Blue-dash fusilier (Pterocaesio tile) — Caesionidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue-dash fusilier (Pterocaesio tile) — Caesionidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue-dash fusilier (Pterocaesio tile) — Caesionidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — jon hanson (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blue-dash fusilier verified
Scientific name
Pterocaesio tile
Family
Caesionidae
Other names
Blue-dash fusilier; Bluestreak fusilier; Dark banded fusilier; Dark-banded fusilier; Fusilier; Neon fusilier; Darkbanded fusilier; Neon fusiler; Tricoulored fusilier verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Fast schooling fusilier; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Blue-black longitudinal stripe; fast schooling plankton filter-feeder sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Nets and handlines sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

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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