Family : Caesionidae (Fusiliers) , subfamily: Caesioninae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Banana fusilier
Fish Name : Pterocaesio pisang
Max size : 21.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 402)
Environment : reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 20 - 100 m
Climate : tropical; 30°N - 26°S
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial; bait: usually
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=1.05)Distribution : Indo-West Pacific: East Africa (excluding the Red Sea and Arabian (Persian) Gulf) eastward to Fiji. Reported from the Ryukyu Islands (Ref. 559).
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 10-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-13. Variable body coloration, dark red to silvery, paler ventrally with lateral line darker; often yellowish snout and eyes. Caudal fin tips distinctly black or reddish black (Ref. 48636). 4-5 scales on cheek; 21-29 predorsal scales; scaled dorsal and anal fins. Upper peduncular scale rows usually 11 (10-12); lower peduncular scale rows usually 15 (13-17). ventrolateral surface of basioccipital with a broad process for attachment of Baudelot's ligament. Post maxillary with 2 processes; posterior end of maxilla tapered.
Biology : Ranges widely around coral reefs (Ref. 58652), sometimes forming schools with other Pterocaesio species. Feeds on zooplankton in midwater aggregations. Oviparous, with numerous, small pelagic eggs (Ref. 402). Also caught mostly by drive-in nets. Important tuna baitfish
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Carpenter, K.E.. 1987. (Ref. 1723)

India country information
Common Names : ചുര ചാള, ചുരൈചാള, Bleeker's fusilier, Churaichala, Hudenmugurang
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses