Yellowback fusilier
Kingdom
Phylum
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Caesio xanthonota
Length
40
16
cminch
cm inch 

The yellowback fusilier (Caesio xanthonota) is a pelagic marine ray-finned fish, a fusilier belonging to the family Caesionidae. It is native to the tropical Indo-Pacific, being found in shallow water from the East African coast to Indonesia.

Appearance

The yellowback fusilier is a small to medium-sized fish which grows to about 40 cm (16 in) long. The mouth is small and terminal and is protusible, being able to be extended forward to swallow food. The body is fusiform or spindle-shaped. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 14-15 soft rays. The anal fin has three spines and 11 or 12 soft rays. The caudal fin is deeply forked.

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The body coloration is greyish blue with a bright yellow zone on the back. The yellow area goes from the forehead, between the eyes, to the tail, and includes the dorsal fin and the caudal fin. This area corresponds more or less to the upper third of the body. The belly is plain white.

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Climate zones

Habits and Lifestyle

The yellowback fusilier is diurnal, and lives in groups and forms schools with other caesionids such as Caesio teres.

Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

It feeds on zooplankton, so it is a planktivore.

References

1. Yellowback fusilier Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowback_fusilier
2. Yellowback fusilier on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/20250214/65927053

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