Blue and gold fusilier
📖 Overview
Adults are found in schools in deep lagoons and along seaward reefs in coastal areas , mixing with other species of fusiliers . Juveniles are used as tuna bait fish. They are oviparous, with small pelagic eggs . Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12. This species is distinguished by the following characters: postmaxillary process single; A III,12 (rarely 13); lateral line scales 57-65 (usually around 61); scale rows on spinous part of dorsal fin horizontal; supratemporal bands of scales often interrupted at dorsal midline by a scaleless zone, always a V-shaped scaleless zone anteriorly at midline intruding between the supratemporal band of scales; body colour with upper body bluish and the lower white to pale bluish; a single yellow or golden stripe directly above lateral line except on caudal peduncle where it is about 1 scale above lateral line, the yellow stripe 2 or 3 scales wide, bordered directly above and below by a white or light blue stripe which is about 1 scale wide, caudal-fin lobes with a black median streak . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blue and gold fusilier is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Mating behavior is marked by six distinguishable patterns, namely: 1) nuzzling; 2) several males joining in courtship; 3) spiraling towards the surface; 4) pair spawning; 5) sperm release by sneakers; and 6) post spawning. Nuzzling is done about 1-1.5 hours before spawning. For most of the day the fish swam slowly in school. At nearly spawning time, one or two males approach a selected female and begin pecking and pushing her swollen abdomen with their snouts. Interruption happens at this stage resulting in spawners returning to the school. With less than an hour until spawning, 2-6 males may attempt to get their abdomen as close to the female's abdomen as possible. For the pair that completes this position, a spiraling ascent to the surface occurs followed by a release of both eggs and sperm while other males come in pursuit. These sneakers release sperm at the same spot where the initial pair had released their gametes. Some spawnings may occur without sneakers getting involved in the process .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 60 m . Tropical; 34°N - 31°S, 30°E - 116°W West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Blue and gold fusilier is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 141 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Blue and gold fusilier has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Blue and gold fusilier · Goldband Fusilier · Scissor Tailed Fusilier · blue-and-gold fusilier |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Kalmooh |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Blå- og guldbåndet musketerfisk |
| 🇫🇷French | Caesio azuror · Fusilier bleu et or, Caesio azuror · Maquereau |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Sasamuro · ササムロ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Fuzileiro azul |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Fusilero azur |
| 🌍THA | Pla lueng plong mhor · Pla lueng prong mor |
| 🌍TON | HULI |
| 🌍VIE | Cá Miền vàng xanh |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caesio azuraureus | Rüppell | 1830 | Synonym |
| Caesio careulareus | Lacepède | 1801 | Synonym |
| Caesio cearulaurea | Lacepède | 1801 | Synonym |
| Caesio coerulaureus | Lacepède | 1801 | Synonym |
| Caesio maculatus | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
| Caesio nori | Montrouzier | 1857 | Synonym |
| Smaris mauritianus | Quoy & Gaimard | 1824 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 32 records indexed .
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