The Fusilierfishes (Family : Caesionidae) of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Fusiliers are tropical Indo-Pacific marine perciform fish of the family Caesionidae and they are most associated with the reefs. Within the family there are 4 genera and 21 species (Carpenter, 1988 and Allen & Erdmann, 2008). They are colourful fishes; many have bright yellow stripes and patches. The caesionidae are related to the family Lutjanidae, the snapper fishes . The fusiliers posses s unique morphological features characteristic of their feeding mode. They are specialized for planktivorous feeding, while their nearest relatives, the snappers are typically benthic carnivores. The fusiliers possess a jaw morphology and body shape.