Redbelly yellowtail fusilier
📖 Overview
Often in silty areas with low visibility at 1-30 m depth . Inhabits coastal areas, usually over rocky and coral reefs. Forms schools in midwater and feeds on zooplankton. Oviparous, with numerous, small pelagic eggs . Taken primarily by handline in Sri Lanka; caught mostly by fish traps in western Thailand and Malaysia; caught in trawls in the Gulf of Thailand; caught by a variety of methods including drive-in nets, fish traps and gill nets in Indonesia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. The most ancestral living caesionid species.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12. Deep-bodied . Scales center lighter than margins; lower 1/3 white, sometimes suffused by pink; prominent black markings on caudal fin absent. 4-5 scales on cheek; predorsal scales 20-26; scaled dorsal and anal fins. Upper peduncular scale rows 9-11; lower peduncular scale rows usually 12-14. Distinguished from C. teres in having a continuous supra-temporal band of scales across the dorsal midline. Basioccipital process for attachment of Baudelot's ligament absent. Post maxillary process single; posterior end of maxilla blunt. Color: Upper body if not yellow, grayish blue; lower sides and belly white or pinkish. Pectoral, pelvic and anal fins white to pink. Large yellow tail. Dorsal fin yellow posteriorly and grayish blue anteriorly. Length usually at 35 cm . Head length 2.8-3.6 in SL; body depth 3.0-4.2 in SL .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Redbelly yellowtail fusilier is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Redbelly yellowtail fusilier is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Redbelly yellowtail fusilier is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 60 m . Tropical; 31°N - 28°S, 76°E - 172°E West Pacific: Sri Lanka to Vanuatu; southern Japan to northern Australia.
🌿 Ecology
zooplankton
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Redbelly yellowtail 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 | 19.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 130 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Redbelly yellowtail fusilier has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Red-bellied Fusilier · Redbelly yellowtail fusilier · Robust Fusilier · Yellow-tail Fusilier · Yellowtail Fusilier |
| 🇫🇷French | Caesio à ventre rouge |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Yumeumeiro · ユメウメイロ |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | fusilero vientre colorado |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 烏尾冬仔，赤腹烏尾鮗 · 黃尾梅鯛 · 黃尾烏尾鮗 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caesio erythrochilurus | Fowler | 1904 | Synonym |
| Caesio erythrogaster | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
| Cichla cuning | Bloch | 1791 | Synonym |
| Sparus cuning | Bloch | 1791 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 24 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet — be the first to log one!
View all observations for Redbelly yellowtail fusilier ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.