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Variable-lined fusilier (Caesio varilineata) — Caesionidae

Variable-lined fusilier

Caesio varilineata
Family: Caesionidae

The Variable-lined fusilier (Caesio varilineata) is a saltwater fish of the family Caesionidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–25.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Comoros, Mayotte, Djibouti, India and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Variable-lined fusilier is a fusilier (Caesionidae), related to the snappers, from the Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a streamlined body. The blue body bears several thin yellow longitudinal lines. As a fast schooling fish it swims by day in large schools above coral reefs and picks zooplankton from the current; at night it shelters in the reef. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Variable-lined fusilier?

The Variable-lined fusilier has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Variable-lined fusilier live?

The Variable-lined fusilier lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Comoros, Mayotte, Djibouti, India and others

How big does the Variable-lined fusilier get?

The Variable-lined fusilier grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Variable-lined fusilier dangerous to humans?

No, the Variable-lined 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 Variable-lined fusilier edible?

Yes, the Variable-lined fusilier is commonly eaten.

More photos

Variable-lined fusilier (Caesio varilineata) — Caesionidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) 107120830535687523870, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Variable-lined fusilier (Caesio varilineata) — Caesionidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Malcolm Francis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Variable-lined fusilier (Caesio varilineata) — Caesionidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Fabio Schwab, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Variable-lined fusilier (Caesio varilineata) — Caesionidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Storm Martin, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Variable-lined fusilier sourced
Scientific name
Caesio varilineata
Family
Caesionidae
Other names
Variablelined fusilier; Variable-lined fusilier; Thin-lined fusilier verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Comoros, Mayotte, Djibouti, India and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified
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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