Hawaiian flagtail
📖 Overview
Length at maturity about 18 cm. Taken with hook and line using bread or shrimp for bait . 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 .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 12; Anal spines: 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 .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Hawaiian flagtail is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; amphidromous; depth range 0 - 20 m . Tropical; 35°N - 60°S, 137°E - 128°W distributed around oceanic islands.
🌿 Ecology
fishes, invertebrates, and insects
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Hawaiian flagtail is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 240 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Hawaiian flagtail has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Hawaiian Flagtail · Hawaiian aholehole · Reticulated Flagtail · Reticulated Flagtail, Hawaiian flagtail · aholehole |
| 🌍CES | praporkovec havajský |
| 🇫🇷French | Poisson-pavillon réticulé |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Saihateyugoi · サイハテユゴイ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Kuhila-havaiana |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Dara reticulada |
| 🌍TAH | nato |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dules sandvicensis | Steindachner | 1876 | Synonym |
| Moronopsis argenteus sandvicensis | Steindachner | 1876 | Synonym |
| Moronopsis sandvicensis | Steindachner | 1876 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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