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Blue fusilier (Caesio lunaris) — Caesionidae

Blue fusilier

Caesio lunaris
Family: Caesionidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue fusilier (Caesio lunaris) is a saltwater fish of the family Caesionidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The lunar fusilier is a fusilier from the Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the western Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a streamlined, bright blue body that pales towards the belly; the tail lobes have dark tips. By day it forms large, fast schools above coral reefs and in open water, where it catches zooplankton from the current. 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 fusilier?

The Blue fusilier has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Forms large fast shoals; catches plankton from the current above the reef

Where does the Blue fusilier live?

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

How big does the Blue fusilier get?

The Blue fusilier grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Blue fusilier dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue 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 fusilier edible?

Yes, the Blue fusilier is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blue fusilier (Caesio lunaris) — Caesionidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — This photo has been taken by Matthieu Sontag (User:Mirgolth) and released under the licenses stated below. You are free to use it for any purpose as long as you credit me as author, Wikimedia Commons as site and follow the terms of the licenses. Could you be kind enough to leave me a message on this page to inform me about your use of this picture. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Blue fusilier (Caesio lunaris) — Caesionidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Micha Baum, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Blue fusilier (Caesio lunaris) — Caesionidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Alexander Vasenin (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Blue fusilier (Caesio lunaris) — Caesionidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) samgreenberg, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blue fusilier verified
Scientific name
Caesio lunaris
Family
Caesionidae
Other names
Blue fusilier; Fusilier; Lunar fusilier; Moon fusilier; Moon caesio verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
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
Indo-West 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
Plankton-eating schooling fusilier; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Forms large fast shoals; catches plankton from the current above the reef 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
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 Caesio

More from the family Caesionidae

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