Lunar fusilier (Caesio lunaris)

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 lunaris · Authority: Cuvier, 1830 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 219991.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Caesio lunare Cuvier, 1830; Caesio lunares Cuvier, 1830; Pterocaesio lunaris (Cuvier, 1830).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=219991 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 40 cm · Depth range: 0–50 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 30 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Adults are found in coastal areas, mainly on or near coral reefs (Ref. 30573). They are more common along steep seaward reefs than in lagoons (Ref. 9710). They form large aggregations in midwater on upper edge of steep slopes and around patch reefs, often with other fusiliers (Ref. 90102). They feed on zooplankton. Are oviparous, with numerous, small pelagic eggs (Ref. 402).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 920) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Caesio-lunaris.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

1,048 georeferenced occurrence records for Caesio lunaris are published through GBIF from 45 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 200 distinct locations from a sample of 1,048 records, omitting 23 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: Egypt (244); Mayotte (143); Indonesia (118); Philippines (114); Australia (73).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2374772) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2374772&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=219991 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Caesio lunaris Cuvier, 1830 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 20249446) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/20249446/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2374772) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2374772/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The lunar fusilier was first formally described in 1830 by the French zoologist Georges Cuvier with the type locality given as New Ireland. This species has been placed in the subgenus Odontonectes. The specific name lunaris means "of the moon", a name Cuvier attributed to Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg, the collector of the type), Cuvier being of the opinion that Ehrenberg gave it that name because of the row of scales on the neck which was in a crescent shape.

The lunar fusilier has a moderately deep, fusiform body which is laterally compressed. There are small teeth in the jaws, the vomer and the palatines. There are 10 spines in the dorsal fin and 13–15, usually 14. soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 10, rarely 11, soft rays. The dorsal and anal fins have scales. The pectoral fins have 18–21, typically 19 or 20, rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 40 cm. The overall colour of the body is bluish, becoming a paler shade on the underside. The caudal fin lobes in adults are blue with a black tip to each lobe. The pectoral fins have a black axil and upper base. The rest of the pectoral fins, the pelvic fins and the anal fins are white to pale blue while the dorsal fin is bluish. Juveniles often have a yellow caudal fin and yellow markings on parts of the caudal peduncle.

The lunar fusilier is found throughout the Indo-West Pacific. It occurs along the eastern coast of Africa from the Red Sea to Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa eastwards across the Indian Ocean, including the Persian Gulf and into the Pacific Ocean. In the Pacific its range extends east to the Marshall Islands and Fiji, north to southern Japan and south to off northwestern Australia and New Caledonia. It is found at depths down to 60 m in inshore waters, largely near coral reefs with a preference for the seaward slopes and in lagoons.

Lunar fusiliers aggregate in large schools in midwater along the upper edges of steep slopes and in the vicinity of patch reefs. They frequently form mixed species schools with other fusiliers. They feed on zooplankton. The adults feed in deep clear waters some distance from the reef during the day, sheltering in the reef during the night, while the juveniles prefer to always stay close to the reef. The juveniles often associate with other juvenile fusiliers, mostly Caesio cuning. This is an oviparous species which lays large numbers of small, pelagic eggs.

The lunar fusilier is targeted by fisheries in all areas in which it occurs. Fishermen use drive-in nets, gillnets, seine nets and fish traps to catch it. The catch is sold as fresh fish. This species is vulnerable to overfishing and has declined in some areas, but in many parts of its range it remains common.

Source: Wikipedia: Lunar fusilier — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_fusilier (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.