Kuhlia sandvicensis (Steindachner, 1876)
Hawaiian flagtail
photo by Cook, D.C.

Family:  Kuhliidae (Aholeholes)
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m, amphidromous
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: widely distributed around oceanic islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-12. Preorbital serrae 10-20; body depth 2.6-2.9 in SL; dorsal profile of head nearly straight; eye not very large, orbit diameter 3.0-3.45 in head length; caudal concavity 1.45-1.7 in head length; third anal fin spine longer than second; pelvic fin spine 2.3-2.9 in head length. Silvery with a coarse silver and black reticulum dorsally on head; posterior edge of caudal fin blackish (Ref. 41640).
Biology:  Length at maturity about 18 cm. Taken with hook and line using bread or shrimp for bait (Ref. 44091). A native Hawaiian fish found in both marine and freshwater habitats. Feeds on fishes, invertebrates, and insects. Sr/Ca profiles from otoliths of juvenile and adult fish from fresh and salt water indicated that use of stream habitats by this species is facultative (Ref. 51353).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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