Caesio xanthalytos Holleman, Connell & Carpenter, 2013
Goldsash fusilier
Caesio xanthalytos
photo by King, D.R.

Family:  Caesionidae (Fusiliers), subfamily: Caesioninae
Max. size:  22 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine; depth range 8 - 40 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Kenya (purchased in Mombasa market), Tanzania (Dar es Salaam), southern Mozambique and KwaZulu-Natal (Margate, 30°51' S), southern Madagascar.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-15; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-12; Vertebrae: 23-23. This medium-sized species is distinguished by the following: a prominent, composite, yellow lateral band in life, bordered by irregular dark brown stripes, and with a narrow blue stripe in the yellow, above the lateral line; the lateral line is within band for most of length; 19-22 pectoral-fin rays (rarely 19 or 21, 22); 57-67 (mode 59-62) lateral line scales; 11-12 (mode 11) anal fin rays; 8 + 12 circumpeduncular scales (Ref. 94071).
Biology:  This species schools with Caesio variliniata and both have been observed together in large shoals in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Prolific spawning in the Park Rynie area, KwaZulu-Natal (30°20’ S, 30°45’ E) is apparent due to abundance of eggs of this species from plankton collections (Ref. 94071).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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