Common name: Suez fusilier

General information

The Redbelly Yellowtail Fusilier, Caesio suevica, is a vibrant and active fish that adds a splash of color and movement to any marine aquarium. They are schooling fish in the wild and are known for their striking blue body with a contrasting yellow tail and a distinctive red belly, which becomes more pronounced during feeding or when the fish are excited.

Care

In the aquarium, Redbelly Yellowtail Fusiliers require a large tank with plenty of open swimming space. They are active swimmers and do best in groups, which helps to reduce stress and encourage natural schooling behavior. A varied diet of meaty foods, such as mysis shrimp and finely chopped seafood, along with high-quality marine flakes or pellets, will keep them in good health.

Reproduction

Reproduction in the home aquarium is rare for Caesio suevica. In the wild, they are pelagic spawners, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization occurs. The larvae are planktonic and drift with the currents until they mature.

Habitat

Redbelly Yellowtail Fusiliers are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from East Africa to the central Pacific, excluding the Hawaiian Islands. They inhabit clear lagoon and seaward reefs, often seen in large schools above the reef during the day, at depths ranging from surface waters to about 50 meters.

Their presence in an aquarium can be a stunning display, especially when kept in a sizeable group that mimics their natural schooling behavior in the wild.