Fusiliers take their name from the shape of their body, which is elongated like a projectile. Their caudal fin is forked, a sign of their behaviour: they are active swimmers.
They live in shallow coral ecosystems, at depths of 0 to 50 m.
Their livery (body colouration) is blue and yellow (on the tail). The belly, however, is paler, which helps them go unnoticed. When seen from below, they blend in with the shimmering surface of the water.
Fusiliers are gregarious and live in shoals of several dozen individuals. For them, being in a group is a matter of survival. This way of life allows them to defend themselves against predators through a dilution effect, each individual being lost within an impressive mass. It also helps them find food more easily by exploring a wider area.
They feed exclusively on zooplankton: eggs and larvae of reef inhabitants, as well as copepods.
Did you know?
As this fish can grow to almost 30 cm, it is highly prized by fishermen and eaten by local communities.
