| Goldband fusilier | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Goldband fusilier | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Acanthuriformes |
| Family: | Lutjanidae |
| Genus: | Pterocaesio |
| Species: | P. chrysozona |
| Binomial name | |
| Pterocaesio chrysozona (G. Cuvier, 1830) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Thegold-band fusilier (Pterocaesio chrysozona) also known as theyellow-band fusilier orblack-tipped fusilier, is a species of marineray-finned fish, a fusilier belonging to thefamilyCaesionidae. It is widespread around reefs in theIndo-West Pacific region.
The goldband fusilier was first formallydescribed asCaesio chryszona in 1830 by theFrenchzoologistGeorges Cuvier with the type locality given as "Archipel des Indes", i.e. Indonesia.[3] In his 1987 review of the Caesionidae,Kent E. Carpenter placed this species within thesubgenusPisinnicaesio,[4] of which it is thetype species.[5] Thespecific namechrysozona means "gold band", a reference to the yellow stripe on its flanks.[6]
The goldband fusilier has afusiform and elongated body which is moderately laterally compressed. There are small conical teeth in the jaws and on the vomer and palatines.[4] The dorsal fin contains 10–11 spines and 14–16 soft rays while theanal fin has 3 spines and 11–13 soft rays.[2] There are scales on both the dorsal and anal fins. There are 17–20 rays in thepectoral fins.[4] This species attains a maximumtotal length of 21 cm (8.3 in).[2] The overall colour is pale blue to brownish fading to pinkish or white below. There is a wide yellow band along the flanks immediately below thelateral line.[7]
The goldband fusilier is found in the tropical Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. Its range extends along the eastern coast of Africa from Mozambique north to the Red Sea and eastwards across the Indian Ocean, although it is absent from the northern Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf. In the Pacific Ocean is reaches east as far as the Solomon Islands, north to theYaeyama Islands and south to Australia.[1] In Australia they are found around the coast from theDampier Archipelago inWestern Australia toSydney.[7] They are at depths between 5 and 35 m (16 and 115 ft) amongcoral reefs,seagrass, along outer reef slopes and around pinnacles in deep lagoons.[8]
Goldband fusiliers are a non-migratory fish, found during the day moving inschools. At night they shelter within the reef.[8] The schools forage forzooplankton in midwater. It is anoviparous species which lays large numbers of small, pelagic eggs.[2]
Goldband fusiliers play a minor role in commercial fisheries. In the Philippines, they are sometimes caught and marketed fresh usingtraps anddrive-in nets. In theLaccadives, theMaldives and the West Pacific, they are used asbaitfish for the pole and line tuna fisheries.[4]
