Common name: lunar fusilier

General information

The Lunar Fusilier, Caesio lunaris, is a strikingly beautiful reef fish known for its vibrant blue body and contrasting yellow tail. This species is part of the Caesionidae family, commonly referred to as fusiliers. They are active swimmers and often found in large schools in the wild, which makes for a spectacular sight.

Care

Lunar Fusiliers are relatively hardy fish that can adapt well to life in a spacious aquarium. They require a large tank with plenty of open water for swimming and a tightly fitting lid to prevent jumping. A varied diet of meaty foods, such as mysis shrimp and finely chopped seafood, along with high-quality marine flake or pellet food, will help maintain their health and coloration.

Reproduction

In the wild, Lunar Fusiliers spawn in groups, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization occurs. In the home aquarium, breeding is rare, but with a large enough group and optimal conditions, it is possible to observe spawning behavior.

Habitat

Lunar Fusiliers are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Line Islands and Tuamotu Archipelago, north to southern Japan, and south to New Caledonia. They inhabit outer reef slopes and drop-offs, typically at depths ranging from the surface to about 20 meters.

Their preference for clear, current-swept waters should be replicated in the aquarium with good water movement and high oxygen levels.