Common name: Wide-band fusilier

General information

The Blue and Gold Fusilier, Pterocaesio lativittata, is a strikingly colored fish that adds a splash of vibrant blue and yellow to any marine aquarium. This species is part of the Caesionidae family, known for their elongated bodies and schooling behavior. They are commonly found in the Indo-Pacific region and are a popular choice among aquarists for their active swimming patterns and schooling nature.

Care

Blue and Gold Fusiliers are active swimmers and require a spacious tank with plenty of open water to accommodate their swimming behavior. They are best kept in groups to mimic their natural schooling behavior, which can also reduce stress and promote natural activity. A varied diet of meaty foods, such as mysis shrimp and finely chopped seafood, along with high-quality marine flakes or pellets, will help maintain their health and coloration.

Reproduction

In the wild, Pterocaesio lativittata spawns in large aggregations, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization occurs. In the home aquarium, breeding is rare, but maintaining a healthy group in a large, well-established system may encourage natural spawning behavior.

Habitat

Blue and Gold Fusiliers are typically found in clear lagoon and seaward reefs, often in large schools. They are a pelagic species that prefer mid-water columns and are commonly seen above coral outcrops and steep slopes. Their natural range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa, across the Indian Ocean, to the central Pacific.

Hobbyists should aim to replicate these conditions as closely as possible, with clean, well-oxygenated water and stable environmental parameters to ensure the well-being of these active fish.