Home > Fishes > Flagtails > Kuhlia sandwicensis

Updated 11/12/2023

Family Kuhliidae

CENTRAL PACIFIC / HAWAII

Kuhlia sandwicensis



Kaupulehu tidepool, Hawai'i

Juvenile, Kanewai Spring, Kuli'ou'ou, Oahu



Black Rock, Maui, 2 feet



Taha'a, Society Islands, 6 feet


Makapu'u tidepool, O'ahu
   

RETICULATED FLAGTAIL     āholehole

Rare in shallow rocky areas with freshwater intrusion.  Juveniles occur in tidepools, brackish estuaries, and fishponds.  Feeds upon zooplankton and worms.  Silver with maze-like pattern on forehead, small round eyes, forehead with straight profile, body appears stubby next to K. xenura.  Attains 11 inches.  Hawai'i, Pitcairn, & the Central Pacific.  Records of this species in Hawai'i usually refer to the common endemic Kuhlia xenura.  Erroneously reported from Hawai'i as Kuhlia marginata.