| Family: |
Caesionidae (Fusiliers), subfamily: Caesioninae |
| Max. size: |
25 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 30 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: Sri Lanka to Vanuatu (New Hebrides). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-13. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D X (rarely XI),15 (rarely 14 or 16); A III,12 (11-13); pectoral fin 20-22 soft rays; scales in lateral line usually 69-75, above to dorsal fin origin 9-11 (modally 10) and below to anal-fin origin 11-12; upper peduncular scales usually 11-13; dorsal and anal fins are scaly; obliquely oriented scale rows on posterior back; two postmaxillary processes; small conical teeth in jaws; greatest body depth 3.3-4.4 in SL, head length 3.2-3.7 in SL; colour of body bluish green on upper half, white or silvery blue on lower side (pinkish ventrally); a single yellow longitudinal stripe laterally, about 1 scale wide, covering lateral line for most of its length, usually running dorsal to lateral line on caudal peduncle; caudal fin dusky, the tips of lobes black (Ref. 68703, 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits clear coastal to outer reef slopes or drop-offs (Ref. 48636). Feeds on zooplankton in midwater aggregations. Oviparous, with numerous, small pelagic eggs (Ref. 402). Caught mainly by drive-in-nets. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
| Country info: |
Type locality of Pterocaesio tessellata, off southeastern tip of Cebu, Sumilon Is., east side, 10 m, BPBM 30821 (holotype, 10.4 cm SL) (Ref. 1723). Recorded in Tañon Strait (Ref. 107276); from Sampalokan and Siiren, Verdel Island (Ref. 107855) and from Dauin-Apo I. (Ref. 127519). Museum: BPBM 30822. Manila markets, BPBM 28808, 30728, 30735, 30769, 30682-83. Lucena City, BPBM 30732. Cebu, BPBM 28509. Gulf of Boni, USNM 183007. Palawan, USNM 264355, 264349. Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City market, BPBM 28542, 30668, 30673, 30741 (Ref. 1723). Also Ref. 48613, 59110, 121724. |
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