The Variable-lined Fusilier (Caesio varilineata) is a vibrantly colored fish species that belongs to the Fusilier family (Caesionidae). This species is known for its distinctive markings and schooling behavior, making it a popular sight for divers and snorkelers.
Description and Characteristics
The Variable-lined Fusilier (Caesio varilineata) is a relatively small fish, typically reaching a maximum size of 40.0 cm. Its body is elongated and fusiform, with a silvery-white to pale-yellow coloration. This base color is adorned with a series of vertical, dark blue to black lines that vary in width and spacing, giving the fish its name. These lines extend from the head to the tail, creating a striking pattern against its light background. The Variable-lined Fusilier (Caesio varilineata) also has a bright yellow to orange tail fin, which further enhances its visual appeal.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Variable-lined Fusilier (Caesio varilineata) is a reef-associated fish that inhabits the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region. They are typically found in shallow reefs and lagoons, favoring depths between 2.0 and 25.0 meters. This species is commonly encountered in coral reefs, seagrass beds, and rocky outcrops, where they form large schools that can number in the hundreds or even thousands. Their distribution spans across various marine zones, including the neritic zone, which extends from the coastline to the edge of the continental shelf, as well as the epipelagic zone, which encompasses the sunlit surface waters of the open ocean.
Taxonomy
The Variable-lined Fusilier (Caesio varilineata) belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Eupercaria incertae sedis, and Family: Caesionidae. This classification places it within the diverse group of ray-finned fishes, which are characterized by their bony skeletons and fins supported by rays. The Eupercaria incertae sedis represents a group of fish lineages that have not yet been fully resolved within the overall evolutionary tree of bony fishes. The Caesionidae, or Fusilier family, is a group of primarily reef-associated fishes known for their elongated bodies, vibrant colors, and schooling behavior.
Feeding
The Variable-lined Fusilier (Caesio varilineata) is an omnivorous fish with a diet that consists of a variety of small invertebrates and plankton. Their diet includes brine shrimps, frozen food (large sort), mysis, and zooplankton, which they filter from the water column or pick off the reef. Their feeding habits are opportunistic, and they will readily consume any available food source.
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