Yellowback Fusilier

Caesio teres has a moderately deep, fusiform and laterally compressed body. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 14–16, typically 15, soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 12–13 soft rays. The pectoral fins contain 20–22, typically 21 rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 40 cm (16 in), although 26.6 cm (10.5 in) is more typical. The upper back and the rear part of the dorsal fin are bright yellow with the remainder of the body being bright blue on the upper body and white ventrally. The pectoral fin is white with a black upper base, the pelvic and anal fins are white.

Caesio teres has a wide tropical Indo-West Pacific distribution. It is found from the East African coast between Somalia and South Africa east into the Pacific as far as the Line and Tuamotu Islands, north to southern Japan south to the Great Barrier Reef. It is absent from the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. In Australian waters this species is found at Rowley Shoals in Western Australia, at the Ashmore Reef in the Timor Sea, and from the northern Great Barrier Reef to Escape Reef, Queensland. It is also found at Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. This species is found on coral reefs at depths between 5 and 60 m (16 and 197 ft).

Caesio teres is targeted by fisheries in some parts of its distribution and frequently drive-in nets are used to catch it.