Paracaesio xanthura (Bleeker, 1869)
Yellowtail blue snapper
Paracaesio xanthura
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Lutjanidae (Snappers), subfamily: Apsilinae
Max. size:  50 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 250 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Austral Islands, north to southern Japan, south to southeastern Australia. Paracaesio xanthura, a complex of variable populations, may compose a single or two (or more) species. Paracaesio pedleyi, from Lord Howe Island, Middleton Reef, and eastern Australian waters, is included here with some reservation (Ref. 9821).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body relatively deep and laterally compressed, greatest body depth 2.5-2.8 in SL; interorbital region convex; mouth terminal, jaws about equal; anterior end of upper lip without a thick fleshy protrusion; maxilla with or without scales and without longitudinal ridges; teeth in jaws caniniform to villiform; gill rakers of first gill arch 5-11 + 18-20; soft rays of dorsal fin usually 10, in anal fin 8; lateral line scales 70-72; caudal fin forked. Colour bright blue; broad yellow band over most of dorsal half of body, including most of caudal pedincle fin (Ref. 9821, 90102).
Biology:  Adults occur over rocky bottoms, sometimes forming large schools. They feed largely on zooplankton (Ref. 30573). Caught mainly with handlines and bottom longlines and marketed fresh or frozen (Ref. 9821).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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