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Fusilier (Gymnocaesio gymnoptera) — Caesionidae

Fusilier

Gymnocaesio gymnoptera
Family: Caesionidae
LC · Least Concern

The Fusilier (Gymnocaesio gymnoptera) is a saltwater fish of the family Caesionidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–500.0 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 slender fusilier is a fast-swimming reef fish from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a slender, streamlined, bluish to silvery body with a yellow tinge and a protrusible mouth with which it filters plankton from the water. It schools in large, fast numbers over steep coral reef slopes and filters zooplankton from the open water. It is a local bait and food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fusilier?

The Fusilier has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Protrusible mouth; fast schooling plankton filterer

Where does the Fusilier live?

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

How big does the Fusilier get?

The Fusilier grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Fusilier dangerous to humans?

No, the 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 Fusilier edible?

Yes, the Fusilier is commonly eaten.

More photos

Fusilier (Gymnocaesio gymnoptera) — Caesionidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fusilier (Gymnocaesio gymnoptera) — Caesionidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fusilier (Gymnocaesio gymnoptera) — Caesionidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) craigjhowe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fusilier (Gymnocaesio gymnoptera) — Caesionidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) craigjhowe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Fusilier verified
Scientific name
Gymnocaesio gymnoptera
Family
Caesionidae
Other names
Slender fusilier verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 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
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
500.0 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
Fast schooling fusilier; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Protrusible mouth; fast schooling plankton filterer sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Net fishing 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

More from the family Caesionidae

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