CAESIONIDAE


Dipterygonotus balteatus, 7.2 cm SL
(photo by Seishi Kimura)


Dipterygonotus balteatus
(Valenciennes, 1830)
Mottled Fusilier

D XII-XV, 8-11; A III, 9-11; P1 17-19; LLp 70-77.

Body slender, fusiform, elongate, and moderately compressed. Scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 15-18. Color: upper body brownish bronze; a thin, straight, tan stripe about 1 scale wide from orbit to caudal fin, directly above lateral line for anterior half of its length, about 2 scales above lateral line on caudal peduncle; above and parallel to this stripe 2 thin, irregular, and usually interrupted stripes of same color; lower body silvery white; dorsal, anal, pelvic, and pectoral fins clear to pinkish; axil of pectoral fins black; caudal fin tan to pinkish; when captured at night, the entire body and fins are often reddish. Size: maximum size to about 14 cm. Distribution: widespread Indo-Pacific. Remarks: feeds on zooplankton. Occasionally marketed fresh along with sardines and anchovies in the Philippines. Caught at night using lights and dip nets. (Yukio Iwatsuki)