Variable-lined fusilier (Caesio varilineata)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Eupercaria incertae sedis · Family: Caesionidae · Genus: Caesio.

Accepted name: Caesio varilineata · Authority: Carpenter, 1987 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 219988.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Caesio varilineatus Carpenter, 1987.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=219988 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Caesio varilineata. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 40 cm · Depth range: 2–25 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 30 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Inhabits deep lagoons and seaward reefs. Feeds on zooplankton in midwater aggregations.

Forms schools with other caesionids. Oviparous, with numerous, small pelagic eggs (Ref. 402). Juveniles used as tuna bait fish.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 924) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Caesio-varilineata.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

297 georeferenced occurrence records for Caesio varilineata are published through GBIF from 20 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 65 distinct locations from a sample of 297 records, omitting 9 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Mozambique (100); Maldives (42); Egypt (35); Oman (22); Seychelles (20); Thailand (20); United Arab Emirates (14); South Africa (11); Mayotte (6); Indonesia (5); India (4); Madagascar (4); Iran (Islamic Republic of) (3); Saudi Arabia (3); Jordan (2).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Mozambican Exclusive Economic Zone; Kenyan Exclusive Economic Zone; Tanzanian Exclusive Economic Zone; Madagascar; Somali Exclusive Economic Zone; Seychellois Exclusive Economic Zone; Comoran Exclusive Economic Zone; Red Sea; South Africa (country); Djiboutian Exclusive Economic Zone; Eritrean Exclusive Economic Zone; Egyptian part of the Mediterranean Sea - Eastern Basin.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2374775) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2374775&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=219988 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Caesio varilineata Carpenter, 1987 as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 20250177) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/20250177/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2374775) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2374775/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Caesio varilineata was first formally described in 1987 by the American ichthyologist Kent E. Carpenter with the type locality given as the Persian Gulf. Carpenter placed it in the subgenus Caesio. The specific name is a combination of vari-, meaning "various" and lineata which means "lined", a reference to the variable number of horizontal, golden stripes on the flanks.

Description

Caesio varilineata is a small to medium-sized fish which grows to about 40 cm long. The eyes are large, the mouth is small and terminal and is protrusible, being able to be extended forward to swallow food. The body is fusiform or spindle-shaped. The caudal fin is deeply forked.

The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 14–16 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 11–13 soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 40 cm. The body colouration is silver green-blue with from 2 to 6 yellow longitudinal lines which intensity and width are variable. The external part of the lobes from the caudal fin are lined with black.

Distribution & habitat

Caesio varilineata is only found in the Indian Ocean from western Indonesia to the eastern coast of Africa, Red Sea and Persian Gulf included. It lives in the open water close to reef and the external reefs. This species was recently reported from the Mediterranean Sea off Alexandria, Egypt, a likely entry via the Suez Canal. As there are no coral reefs in the Mediterranean these fusiliers have probably adapted to use rock reefs covered by Anthozoa.

Biology

Caesio varilineata has a diet consisting of zooplankton which it feeds on in aggregations in the middle of the water column. It frequently joins mixed species schools with other species of fusiliers. It is an oviparous fish, laying a large number of small pelagic eggs.

Fisheries

Caesio varilineata is moderately important to some coastal fisheries within its range and of minor importance in others. It is caught with gillnets, handlines and traps and is sold as fresh fish. It is a common item in fish markets in East Africa and in Sri Lanka, although only infrequently reported from markets in Oman, maybe as bycatch.

In the Maldives and Laccadives, the juveniles are caught to be used as bait in the tuna fishery. This species is vulnerable to overexploitation and is regarded as being overfished in the Persian Gulf. The records from the Mediterranean came from fish markets in Alexandria.

Source: Wikipedia: Caesio varilineata — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesio_varilineata (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.