Fusilier Fish: Speed Demons of the Reef

by B. N. Sullivan

This is a Right Blue photo essay on Fusilier Fish (Caesionidae). These fish, which move about a tropical reef in large schools, always seem to appear suddenly and out of nowhere. In unison, they zoom first one way, and then another, at speeds that can make your jaw drop, doing precision turns that leave those watching in awe. For divers, encountering a school of Fusilier Fish always is exhilarating. I hope this series of photos, which I took in quick succession, will give our readers a sense of what it's like to encounter a school of Fusilier Fish.

Here they come.

Then they do an about face.

Then they circle back again.

And then they're gone!

[Click on any of the photos to enlarge.]