CAESIONIDAE


Caesio cuning, 11.9 cm SL
(photo by Seishi Kimura)


Caesio cuning
(Bloch, 1791)
Redbelly Yellowtail Fusilier

D X, 14-16; A III, 10-12; P1 17-20; LLp 45-51.

Body fairly deep and compressed. A single postmaxillary process; small conical teeth in jaws, vomer and palatines. Scale rows above lateral line 7-9; supratemporal band of scales confluent at dorsal midline; 4-5 scales on cheek; predorsal scales 20-26; dorsal and anal fins scaly. Color: caudal fin, upper caudal peduncle and posterior portion of back yellow; upper body if not yellow, grayish blue; lower sides and belly white or pinkish; axil and upper base of pectoral fins black; dorsal fin yellow posteriorly and grayish blue anteriorly. Size: maximum length about 50 cm. Distribution: Eastern Indian Ocean-West Pacific. Remarks: inhabits coastal areas to the depth of 60 m, usually over rocky and coral reefs. (Ukkrit Satapoomin)