[family Caesionidae]
These Indo-West Pacific fish are generally non-migratory and reef associated, swimming in dense schools. They are related to snappers (family Lutjanidae) but are strictly plankton eaters. They may not be easy to identify because the same species can adopt a number of radically different color schemes. They are important food fish in Southeast Asia.
More on Varieties of Fish
(very large page).
[Caesio lunaris]
This Indo-West Pacific fish ranges from the northeast coast of Africa
to the South Pacific islands, from the northern tips of Australia to
the southern tip of Japan. Lunar Fusiliers can grow to nearly 16 inches,
but the photo specimen was 9-1/2 inches and weighed 7-1/4 ounces.
This fish is IUCN Red List NE (Not Evaluated) and is not endangered.
Details and Cooking.
[Caesio cuning ]
This Indo-West Pacific fish can grow to nearly 24 inches but is generally
marketed much smaller. The pictured fish was 12-1/2 inches and weighed 14
ounces. A popular eating fish in the Philippines, it can be found in fish
markets serving a Philippine community.
Prep & Cooking Details.
[Marr's Fusilier; Pterocaesio marri]
This Indo-West Pacific fish can grow to nearly 14 inches but is generally
marketed smaller. The photo specimen was 10 inches and weighed 8
ounces. A popular eating fish in the Philippines, it can be found in fish
markets serving a Philippine community. Like other Fusiliers, Twinstripes
can vary widely in color from silver to red. The ones I've purchased from
Philippine markets in Los Angeles are very red and marked
"Redtail Fusilier", but Fishbase and other sources list no such name.
Prep & Cooking Details.