Twinstripe Fusilier
Dace [Pterocaesio marri]

This Indo-West Pacific fish can grow to nearly 14 inches but is generally marketed smaller. The pictured fish was 10 inches and weighed 8 ounces. A popular eating fish in the Phillippeans it can be found in fish markets catering to that community.

Apparently Twinstripe Fusiliers vary in color. The ones available at a Philippine market in Los Angeles are very red and marked "Redtail Fusilier", but Fishbase and other sources list no such name.


You can fillet these small fish but it's better to just grill, fry or broil them whole. Cooked whole you have to fish out the bones on your plate, but it's worth it - this is an excellent eating fish. If you do fillet, An 8 oz fish will yield almost 4 ounces of fillet, but don't try to skin it, it'll probably break up. The head and bones make a mild but rather cloudy stock with moderate oil.

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