Caesio xanthalytos Holleman, Connell & Carpenter 2013

This medium-sized species is distinguished by the following: a prominent, composite, yellow lateral band in life, bordered by irregular dark brown stripes, and with a narrow blue stripe in the yellow, above the lateral line; the lateral line is within band for most of length; 19-22 pectoral-fin rays (rarely 19 or 21, 22); 57-67 (mode 59-62) lateral line scales; 11-12 (mode 11) anal fin rays; 8 + 12 circumpeduncular scales (Ref. 94071).

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 11 - 12; Vertebrae: 23

This species schools with Caesio variliniata and both have been observed together in large shoals in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Prolific spawning in the Park Rynie area, KwaZulu-Natal (30°20’ S, 30°45’ E) is apparent due to abundance of eggs of this species from plankton collections (Ref. 94071).