Six species of the genus Pterocaesio (Caesionidae) have previously been recorded from Taiwanese waters. Although Pterocaesio tessellata Carpenter, 1987 is known from the eastern Indian to the western Pacific oceans north to the Philippines, it has not previously been reported from Taiwan. The main objective of this paper is to document the presence of this species in the waters of Taiwan. A single specimen (101.6 mm standard length) of Pterocaesio tessellata was collected from south-western Taiwan in 2018. The morphology and fresh coloration of the collected specimen are herein described. The majority of the morphological characters closely align with the original descriptions of holotype and paratypes of Pterocaesio tessellata: dorsal fin with 10 spines and 15 soft rays; anal fin with 12 soft rays; pectoral fin with 20 rays; lateral-line scales 73; circumpeduncular scales 13 + 15; a single yellow longitudinal stripe on body lateral, about a single scale wide, from upper margin of eye to caudal peduncle, covering lateral line for most of its length. Therefore, the specimen from south-western Taiwan is identified as Pterocaesio tessellata. The presently reported specimen represents the first record for Taiwan, as well as the northernmost record of this species up to now. An identification key to the species of genus Pterocaesio in Taiwan is shown.

taxonomy, distribution, coral reef, Pterocaesio digramma, Pterocaesio chrysozona