Fusilier

Body blue-green to reddish dorsally, lighter ventrally; above pectoral fin is a large yellow blotch of variable size, roughly rhomboid in shape, the oblique side slanting anteriorly. 4 scales on cheek; 22-27 predorsal scales; scaled dorsal and anal fins; Upper peduncular scale rows usually 11-13 (11-14); lower peduncular scale rows usually 15 or 16 (15-17). Supra-temporal band of scales confluent at dorsal midline. basioccipital with a broad, flat process for attachment of Baudelot's ligament; processes not extending much more ventrally than rim of condyle. Post maxillary with 2 processes; posterior end of maxilla tapered (Ref. 1723). Head length 3.3-3.6 in SL; body depth 3.4-4.9 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 12

Occurs in groups with other species of Pterocaesio.

Ranges widely around coral reefs in school. Feeds on zooplankton in midwater aggregations. Oviparous, with numerous, small pelagic eggs (Ref. 402). Easily recognized from a distance by the bright yellow marking (Ref. 48636). Also caught by drive-in nets.

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: unknown; price reliability:

分布於印度-西太平洋之熱帶海域，自安達曼海，至菲律賓海域。南沙群島有產，為罕見之魚種。

一般以圍網、流刺網或一支釣捕獲。肉質不錯，是市場常見之食用魚，以煎食或紅燒食之。

體呈長紡錘形；標準體長約為體高之3.4-4.2倍。口小，端位；上頜骨具有伸縮性，且多少被眶前骨所掩蓋；前上頜骨具二個指狀突起；上下頜前方具一細齒，鋤骨無齒。體被中小型櫛鱗，背鰭及臀鰭基底上方一半的區域均被鱗；側線完全且平直，僅於尾柄前稍彎曲。背鰭硬棘X，軟條15；臀鰭硬棘III，軟條12。體背藍綠色，腹面粉紅色；側面無任何金黃色帶，但在胸鰭上方具一大形黃色斑塊。各鰭淡紅色或淡色；尾鰭上下葉末端有明顯黑斑。本種魚分類上仍有歧見，現依據 Nelson(1994)將其置於笛鯛(Lutjanidae)科中的烏尾鮗亞科(Caesioninae)。

主要棲息於沿岸礁石區陡坡外圍海域，性喜大群洄游於中層水域，游泳速度快且時間持久。屬日行性魚類，晝間在水層間覓食浮游動物，夜間則於礁體間具有遮蔽性的地方休息。