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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Dark-margined flagtail

Kuhlia marginata Cuvier, 1829
Max Length
17.9 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.4
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
33.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Primarily a freshwater species; extent of penetration into brackish and marine environments uncertain . Has been found in moderately deep (1.5-3 m), rocky, unshaded, flowing water areas of mid-hill rivers .

Scientific Name
Kuhlia marginata
Authority
Cuvier, 1829
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
17.9 cm
Latitude
28°S – 32°N
Trophic Level
3.4
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
33.00/100
Migration
Catadromous

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Centrarchiformes
Centrarchiformes
Family
Kuhliidae
Kuhliidae
Genus
Kuhlia
Kuhlia
Species
Dark-margined flagtail
Kuhlia marginata

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11 - 12. Preorbital serrae 18-28; a few fine serrae may be present on suborbital; body depth 2.7-3.05 in SL; orbit diameter 2.75-3.3 in head length; maxilla extending to or slightly beyond a vertical at front edge of pupil; caudal concavity 2.5-3.1 in head length. Silvery, usually with blackish spots posteriorly on dorsal part of body that tends to merge to form bands anteriorly (or the dark pigment is concentrated on scale margins); most of snout and tip of chin blackish; caudal fin pale with a black posterior margin that broadens on lobe tips, then a very broad submarginal pale zone, often preceded by a chevron-shaped blackish band or row of blackish spots parallel with posterior margin; base of caudal fin with small blackish spots; a narrow white margin on soft portion of dorsal and anal fins with a broad blackish submarginal zone anteriorly that narrows posteriorly (broader in dorsal fin than anal) .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Dark-margined flagtail is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Dark-margined flagtail is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Dark-margined flagtail is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; brackish; demersal; catadromous ; depth range ? - 2 m . Tropical; 32°N - 28°S

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Migration
Catadromous
Trophic Level
3.4±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.0123 × L3.06 (TL)
Max TL
17.9cm
Dorsal Spines
10
Dorsal Rays
11
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
12

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
33.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.4
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
32°N – 28°S
Described By
Cuvier, 1829

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Dark-margined flagtail is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Dark-margined flagtail is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Dark-margined flagtail has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Silver Flagtail · Spotted Flagtail
🇫🇷French Doule à queue rouge · Kuhlie marginée
🇯🇵Japanese Yugoi · ユゴイ

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 42 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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