There is some debate as to whether Gymnocaesio gymnoptera, which is used as a live bait in the Maldivian pole and line tuna fishery, should be treated as a distinctive family or a subfamily (Caesioninae) of the snappers (Lutjanidae).
Details
§ 01
size
Common to 10 cm; max. 18 cm
color
Bluish green above and silvery white below. A single yellow or brown stripe about one scale width covering the lateral line for most of its length. Caudal fin dusky, tips of the lobes black.
This species inhabits a variety of coastal areas, often schooling with other members of the genus Pterocaesio. It feeds on zooplankton in large groups in the midwater region.
distinctive characters
The fish has a dorsal fin with 10 spines and 15 rays, and it is not deeply notched. Its anal fin has 3 spines and 12 rays, and both the dorsal and anal fins are scaleless. The pectoral fin has 21 or 22 rays, and there are two postmaxillary processes. The premaxilla is without teeth, and the body is very slender, fusiform, elongated, and moderately compressed, with a depth of 5.0-6.0 in standard length.