• EnglishName: Yellowtail blues napper
  • Local Name : Nigoodhon noomas
  • Size : Max. 40 cm
  • Family: LUTJANIDAE
  • Order : Perciformes
  • Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 10 spines and 10 (rarely 11) rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 (rarely 9) rays. Pectoral fin with 16 rays. Body depth 2.6-3.1 in standard length. Body moderately deep, fusiform. Large eyes. Interorbital space convex. Maxilla with or without scales. Dorsal and anal fins scaleless. Pectoral fins long, reaching level of anus. Caudal fin deeply forked. .
  • Colour: Overall blue, sometimes whitish on belly and lower part of head. A bright yellow area on back and caudal fin.
  • Habitat and Biology: Occurs over rocky bottoms. Sometimes forming large schools at depths between 20 and 150 m. Feeds largely on zooplankton.
  • Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
  • Remarks: Paracaesio xanthurus appears to be uncommon in Maldives. Because of its distinctive blue and yellow colouration it is unlikely to be confused with the closely related P. sordidus but may be confused with the common and similarly coloured yellowfin fusilier (Caesio xanthonata). That species, however, is noticeably more slender.
Back to fishes
Biodiversity of Maldives
Biodiversity of Maldives