CAESIONIDAE Caesio xanthonota, 17.2 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Caesio xanthonota Bleeker, 1853 Yellowback Fusilier D X, 14-15; A III, 12; P1 20-22; LLp 53-57. Body moderately deep, fusiform, and compressed. Scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin usually 9 or 10; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin usually 18-19; 4 or 5 scale rows on cheek. Color: upper 3rd of body and head, including interorbital region, and caudal fin bright yellow, middle 3rd blue, lower 3rd white; axil and upper base of pectoral fins black; pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins white; dorsal fin yellow. Size: maximum size about 35 cm. Distribution: primarily Indian Ocean, from East Africa, not including the Red Sea or the Persian Gulf, to Indonesia. Remarks: inhabits coastal areas, primarily around coral reefs. A schooling fish; feeds on zooplankton in large midwater aggregations. Of minor to moderate importance in coastal fisheries. Caught by gill net, traps, and hook and line. Marketed. (Yukio Iwatsuki)