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Home , Alectis, Ama (diving), Amberjack, Aphareus furca, Bigeye trevally, Billfish

GOATFISH Size: Length up to 16 inches; gen- erally up to 3 pounds are bottom-feeding , Habitat: Rocky areas, especially lava easily recognized by the pair of barbels rocks, from nearshore to about 150 feet under their which are used to locate Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; small food. Tucked under the sides of the , when not in use, the barbels may not be Schooling: Solitary or small groups immediately apparent. Goatfish are com- methods: Handline, spear, trap, mon in inshore waters, and are among the net, pole and line most popular food fish in . Moano multifasciatus

Description: Reddish with shades of yel- low and white; black marks behind eye, at base of pectoral , and black saddle areas in front of first , between dorsal , below soft dorsal fin, and in Weke ‘ä, ‘oama front of tail; deepness of color varies with Mulloides flavolineatus Kümü light intensity, becoming lighter in bright White weke, yellowstripe goatfish Parupeneus porphyreus light. Whitesaddle goatfish Size: Length up to 14 inches; weight gen- Description: Silvery white; yellow band erally up to 1 pound extends from eye to tail when schooling; Description: Juveniles greenish with red Habitat: Rocky areas, sandy bottoms near band becomes less distinct when feeding, fins, body coloration becomes brick red heads and a black spot appears below first dor- with age; white saddle behind soft dorsal Feeding: Diurnal; crustaceans, small fish sal fin; very slender body compared with fin; dark stripe running through eye from most other goatfish. near snout to below first dorsal fin, darker Schooling: Solitary or small groups Size: Length up to 18 inches; weight gen- spot between eye and upper edge of gill Fishing methods: Handline, trap, spear, erally up to 2 pounds cover. pole and line Habitat: Sandy bottom areas near coral : Length up to 20 inches; weight gen- Size patches; shallow water (to about 100 feet) erally up to 5 pounds Feeding: Nocturnal and diurnal; crus- : Various depths throughout Habitat taceans, worms areas, especially under coral heads Schooling: Schools by day Feeding: Nocturnal; mostly crustaceans Fishing methods: ‘Oama (juveniles) : Small groups by day, solitary Schooling taken by pole and line; adults by net, trap, at pole and line, spear Fishing methods: Spear, trap, net, hand- Seasonality: ‘Oama commonly found in line, pole and line Moano kea Parupeneus cyclostomus shallow sandy areas during late summer; Seasonality: Young kümü common on adult weke common year round inshore reefs throughout spring and sum- Moana kali, blue goatfish ‘Oama make excellent bait for papio and mer; adults common year round Description: Bluish-purple, with promi- other predators, and are highly sought by Kümü are extremely prized fish in Hawaii; shoreline fishermen. the flesh is considered a delicacy. nent yellow saddle at base of tail; slender body, long snout and long barbels. Endemic to Hawaii. Size: Length up to 2 feet; weight general- ly up to 5 pounds Habitat: Rocky or reef areas, from nearshore to depth of about 200 feet Feeding: Diurnal; small fish, crustaceans Schooling: Adults small groups; juveniles solitary Fishing methods: Handline, spear, trap, Malu net, pole and line Weke ‘ula, ‘oama Mulloides vanicolensis Sidespot goatfish Red weke,

Description: Body light, whitish to pink; Description: Light pink with yellow hues; black spot on side below rear of first dor- long yellow band extending from eye to sal fin, followed by large oval white area. base of tail; fish becomes reddish when Size: Length up to 16 inches; weight gen- dead; inner lining of abdomen is black. erally up to 2 pounds Size: Length up to 16 inches; weight gen- Habitat: Sandy patches adjacent to coral, Munu erally up to 2 pounds from nearshore to depths of about 120 Parupeneus bifasciatus Habitat: Reef areas, generally in depths feet Doublebar goatfish, Joe Louis from 20-200 feet Feeding: Diurnal; small worms, crus- Feeding: Nocturnal; small worms and taceans Description: Reddish to yellowish-gray; crustaceans Schooling: Adults solitary; juveniles small black triangular saddle under each dorsal Schooling: Large schools during the day; groups fin and near tail. solitary or small groups at night when Fishing methods: Handline, spear, trap, feeding net 65 Fishing methods: Mostly net and trap SURGEONFISH Schooling: Solitary Seasonality: Juveniles, known as ‘oama, Fishing methods: Spear common offshore in late summer; adults Surgeonfish (tangs) have blade-like spines common year round on either side of the base of the tail, which are sometimes used defensively by the fish. (Fishermen have suffered cuts on their account, so surgeonfish should always be handled with care.) Surgeon- fish are very common in inshore waters, feeding primarily by day, and at night rest- ing on the bottom in a sleep-like state. Because they are mostly plant eaters, having small mouths and specialized Weke nono teeth, most surgeonfish are difficult to Manini Mulloides pflugeri catch with hook and line. triostegus sandvicensis Weke ‘ula, moelua, Pfluger's goatfish Convict tang

Description: Red with vertical orange- Description: Silvery, may have yellowish yellow bands when alive; color changes to tinge; six black vertical bars, the first pass- uniform red when dead; inner lining of ing through the eye and the last near the abdominal cavity white; fairly robust com- base of the tail; single small retractable pared with most other goatfish. caudal spine on each side. Size: Length up to 24 inches; weight gen- Size: Length up to 12 inches; weight gen- 3 erally up to 8 pounds erally up to ⁄4 pound Kala Habitat: Sand patches and limestone bot- Habitat: Most reef areas, from shore to Naso unicornis toms, usually 60-300 feet depths of about 90 feet Bluespine unicornfish Feeding: Diurnal; small fish and crus- Feeding: Diurnal; mostly fine taceans Schooling: Large schools, but also seen Description: Dusky olive, with light blue singly or in small schools Schooling: Small groups or large schools on the fins and around the caudal spines; Fishing methods: Handline, trap, spear horn protruding from front of head about Fishing methods: Net, spear eye level (lengthens with age). A similar Manini are the most abundant surgeonfish , Naso brevirostris, is grayish in Hawaii. green with numerous small spots or dark Endemic to Hawaii. lines on the sides, and a body that is less deep. Kala have two fixed caudal spines on each side. Size: Length up to 2 feet; weight general- ly up to 8 pounds Weke pueo Habitat: Inshore reef areas and along rocky shores spp. Nightmare weke, bandtail goatfish Feeding: Diurnal; algae, especially more leafy varieties ‘Opelu kala Schooling: Schools; large adults some- Naso hexacanthus Description: Light greenish above, fading Sleek unicornfish to white below; black and white horizontal times found singly at edge of reef stripes on tail. Fishing methods: Net, spear, pole and line Description: Color varies from dark Size: Length up to 12 inches brown to pale blue, with a dark blue tail Habitat: Shallow sandy or muddy bottoms fin; two fixed caudal spines on each side. Feeding: Diurnal; crustaceans and small Size: Length up to 2 feet; weight general- fish ly up to 3 pounds Schooling: Small groups Habitat: Deeper waters outside reef; not Fishing methods: Pole and line, net, common in waters less than 30 to 50 feet spear Feeding: Diurnal; , including Weke pueo should be prepared and eaten larvae and small worms with care, since the head may cause hallu- Schooling: Large schools cinations and other symptoms of poisoning Fishing methods: Spear, net, pole and if consumed. Kole Ctenochaetus strigosus line Goldring surgeonfish

Description: Dark brown with about 35 light blue horizontal lines extending into the fins, small blue spots on the head, bright yellow ring around the eye; single retractable caudal spine on each side. Size: Length up to 7 inches; weight gen- 1 erally up to ⁄2 pound Habitat: Inshore reef areas, and depths of 150 feet or more Feeding: Diurnal, small bits of algae and decaying plant material

66

Wrasses make up the largest of in Hawaii. Nearly 50 species are known to exist here, but only a few are popular with fishermen. Males and females of the same species frequently have different colorations, and wrasses are known to undergo conversions Laenihi from female to male. Coloration changes Palani umbrilatus as the fish gets older. Blackside razorfish, nabeta Eyestripe surgeonfish Description: Blue-green or grayish body Description: Yellowish brown with black with faint vertical crossbands, one dark spots, bright blue tail fin, fine blue lines on on either side below front of dorsal body fading towards belly, yellow dorsal fin, yellow stripe on anal fin. and anal fins, yellow band between and Size: Length up to 15 inches; weight gen- behind the eyes; single white retractable erally up to 2 pounds caudal spine on each side, surrounded by ‘A‘awa Habitat: Sandy areas at depths of 60 to a patch of black. bilunulatus 300 feet, generally within a few hundred Size: Length up to 18 inches or more; Hawaiian , table boss yards of the shoreline weight generally up to 3 pounds Feeding: Diurnal; crustaceans Habitat: Mostly bays and outer reef areas Description: Juveniles (up to 4 inches) Schooling: Solitary over sandy patches, usually at depths of whitish with reddish brown horizontal lines at least 10 feet Fishing methods: Handline and large black spot between soft dorsal Considered an excellent food fish. Feeding: Diurnal; algae and decaying and anal fins; as fish grows older spot dis- plant material appears and black saddle forms at rear of Endemic to Hawaii. Schooling: Schools dorsal fin; females white with brown hori- Fishing methods: Spear, trap zontal lines in front, shading to yellow near tail; males wine-colored or purplish brown, and black saddle is faint or absent. Size: Length up to 2 feet; weight general- ly up to 4 pounds Habitat: Common throughout reef area, taken on bottom in shallow water out to depths of about 100 feet or more Po‘ou Feeding: Diurnal; small fish, crustaceans, unifasciatus molluscs, urchins Ringtail Schooling: Solitary Fishing methods: Handline, spear, pole Description: Color varies with age; at 10 Pualu and line inches the fish is plain olive green with Acanthurus spp. white saddle near tail; fish 20 inches and over have no white saddle, but show black Ringtail surgeonfish, yellowfin surgeonfish spots at base of dorsal and anal fins, and have dark pelvic fins. Description: Purplish gray, sometimes Size: Length up to 2 feet; weight general- with irregular dark stripes along the sides, ly up to 2 pounds dorsal and anal fins have horizontal blue bands, yellow spot between eye and top of Habitat: Reef and rocky areas at depths gill cover; single black retractable caudal Hinälea lauwili of up to 40 or 50 feet spine on each side. duperrey Feeding: Diurnal; fish and crustaceans Size: Length up to 20 inches or more; Schooling: Solitary weight generally up to 5 pounds Fishing methods: Handline, spear Habitat: Bays and ; also deep Description: Green with vertical purple- outer reefs with sandy patches, usually at red bars, purplish blue head and wide depths of 30 feet or more orange saddle surrounding body just behind head; saddle not apparent on juve- Feeding: Diurnal; mostly algae, but often niles. hooked with material as bait Size: Length up to 1 foot; weight general- Schooling: Schools 1 ly up to ⁄2 pound Fishing methods: Spear, net, handline Habitat: Very abundant along shallow rocky shorelines and reef areas Feeding: Diurnal; , crustaceans Schooling: Solitary or small aggregate Fishing methods: Pole and line, handline Generally an ; food value considered poor, often used as bait. Endemic to Hawaii

67 NEARSHORE SNAPPERS

Käkü Sphyraena ‘Ama‘ama, pua Great barracuda cephalus Striped mullet Description: Greyish back turning silvery Ta‘ape on sides and belly, with irregular black Lutjanus kasmira flecks on sides. Description: Body silver with grayish- Bluestripe snapper green above changing to white below, red- Size: Length up to 6 feet; weight general- ly up to 70 pounds dish tinge around mouth and gills. A simi- Description: Bright lemon yellow with lar species, engeli (summer or Habitat: Various, inshore and offshore; four pale-blue horizontal stripes edged Australian mullet), is smaller than the juveniles prefer areas, bays with lavender or deep purple. and stream mouths amaama, growing to a length of about 8 Size: Length up to 15 inches; weight gen- 1 inches, and has slightly larger scales. Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; fish and erally up to 1 ⁄2 pounds Size: Length up to 2 feet; weight general- Habitat: Hard bottom areas, generally in ly up to 5 pounds Schooling: Generally solitary waters 40 to over 300 feet deep Habitat: Calm waters close to shore, Fishing methods: Generally caught cast- Feeding: Primarily nocturnal; and around mouths of streams and inlets, and ing from shore, lures and baits, and other crustaceans, squid, and small fish brackish bays and harbors handlining from boats. Prominent sharp Schooling: Schools Feeding: Diurnal; algae and small plants, teeth make a wire leader essential, and Fishing methods: Generally taken at especially along bottom. the fish should be regarded with caution. night with handlines; some taken in traps Schooling: Schools or nets; occasionally by pole and line near Fishing methods: Generally taken with shore and by spear nets; difficult to catch with pole and line, Introduced 1958 and 1961 from but will take a hook baited with thin sea- Marquesas and Society Islands weed or bread Seasonality: Spawns December through February Kawale‘ä Sphyraena helleri Heller's barracuda

Description: Silvery olive above, becom- ing silvery on sides and belly; sides marked with two horizontal yellowish stripes which disappear after death. Smaller than kaku, with more slender head To‘au Uouoa and larger eyes. Lutjanus fulvus leuciscus Size: Length up to 2 feet; weight general- ly up to 4 pounds Blacktail snapper Sharpnose mullet Habitat: Inshore to depths of 50 to 200 feet Description: Dusky yellow above fading Description: Grayish back, changing to Feeding: Nocturnal; small fish to pale yellow or white below, six or more silver on the sides, white belly; yellow spot thin horizontal yellow stripes along side; Schooling: Large schools present at base of pectoral fins; snout dorsal fin reddish, tail fin blackish with red- more pointed than amaama. Fishing methods: Mostly handline dish tinge and white margin; other fins yel- Size: Length up to 16 inches; weight gen- low. 1 erally up to 1 ⁄2 pounds Size: Length up to 13 inches; weight gen- Habitat: Sandy shores, pools, rocky erally up to 3 pounds surge areas Habitat: Inshore, brackish water and Feeding: Diurnal; seaweed, some crus- around stream mouths out to waters about taceans 40 or 50 feet in depth Schooling: Schools Feeding: Nocturnal; crustaceans, espe- Fishing methods: Net cially , and small fish Seasonality: More common November Schooling: Solitary or small school through March Fishing methods: Handline, pole and line, trap, spear Introduced 1956 and 1958 from Society Islands

68 Habitat: Inshore areas, including streams, bays and along shoreline; generally found at depths less than 20 feet; juveniles live in tide pools or schools close to shore Feeding: Mostly nocturnal; primarily crus- taceans Schooling: Schools Awa‘aua Wahanui Fishing methods: Pole and line, cast Elops hawaiensis furca nets, spear Hawaiian tenpounder Smalltooth jobfish, gurutsu Seasonality: More taken during fall and winter Description: Bright silvery, with blue- green hue on the dorsal area. Description: Uniform steel blue or pur- Endemic to Hawaii plish, with yellow border on anal fin. Size: Length up to 3 feet or more; weight Size: Length up to 2 feet; weight general- generally up to 12 pounds ly up to 2 pounds Habitat: Inshore areas, including bays Habitat: Open water, generally just out- and harbors, and along sandy shorelines side or above reef Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; small fish Feeding: Diurnal; small fish and crus- and crustaceans taceans Schooling: Singly or in small schools Schooling: Solitary or small school Fishing methods: Pole and line, net Fishing methods: Pole and line, hand- line, spear ‘Ala‘ihi Sargocentron and Neoniphon spp. OTHER REEF FISHES Squirrelfish

Description: Bright red, fading to lighter below in some species; sides marked with six or more light horizontal lines; most species take on prominent nocturnal col- ‘Äweoweo oration, generally white spots or vertical bands. Bigeye, glasseye Size: Length up to 12 inches or more, ‘Aha depending on species; weight up to 5 Description: Variable coloration, from pounds for largest species deep red to silvery, or mottled silvery pink Belonidae Habitat: Inshore reef areas, congregating and red; fins often speckled with black; in crevices and caves by day and some species plain red by day. over the reef at night Size: Length depends on species, up to Description: Blue green on back, fading to Feeding: Nocturnal; crustaceans 20 inches; weight generally up to 3 silvery below; jaws long and pointed, with pounds sharp teeth. Schooling: Solitary or grouped, depend- ing on species Habitat: Shallow reefs out to deep boul- Size: Length depends on species, 15 der areas inches to more than 4 feet; weight gener- Fishing methods: Spear, handline, pole ally up to 5 pounds and line, trap Feeding: Nocturnal; small fish and inver- tebrates Habitat: Near surface in waters of various depths from nearshore to open Schooling: Solitary or schools Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; small fish Fishing methods: Pole and line, hand- near the surface, floating crabs line, spear, net Schooling: Schools Fishing methods: Pole and line Aha can be dangerous at night; they are attracted to lights and have been known to spear people. Awa Chanos chanos

Description: Grayish green above, fading to silvery below. Küpïpï Size: Length up to 3 feet or more; most Abudefduf sordidus caught are around 18 to 24 inches; weight Blackspot sergeant generally up to 40 pounds Habitat: Near surface in inshore areas, Description: Grayish brown above fading including brackish-water areas, bays and to silvery below; sides marked with seven Äholehole inlets dark vertical bands; dark spot on upper Feeding: Diurnal; algae side of caudal peduncle and at base of Hawaiian Schooling: Schools dorsal fin. Fishing methods: Pole and line, net Size: Length up to 9 inches; weight gen- Description: Silvery, with blue tones on erally up to 1 pound Seasonality: Generally more taken in back, fins often dusky tipped. summer months Habitat: Inshore reef and boulder areas; Size: Length up to 12 inches; weight gen- shallow rock crevices; juveniles common erally up to 1 pound in tide pools 69 Feeding: Diurnal; algae, small crus- Size: Length up to 20 inches or more; taceans and other weight generally up to 5 pounds Schooling: Solitary or small schools Habitat: Outer edges of reef in water over Fishing methods: Pole and line, spear 20 feet deep Feeding: Diurnal; small fish and inverte- brates Schooling: Solitary, sedentary Fishing methods: Spear, pole and line Mu Monotaxis grandoculis Bigeye emperor

Description: Olive gray above fading to silvery below; sides marked with four light Mamo vertical bands which fade as fish gets Abudefduf abdominalis older; inside of mouth red. ‘Ö‘iö Hawaiian sergeant Size: Length up to 30 inches; weight gen- spp. erally up to 5 pounds Description: Pale brassy or green with Habitat: Various reef areas, generally moving into shallower waters during four or five black vertical bars; belly white Description: Bright iridescent silver, with with yellow tinge near anal fin. evening greenish tinge on dorsal area; elongate Size: Length up to 9 inches; weight gen- Feeding: Nocturnal; small mollusks and upper jaw. 3 crustaceans erally up to ⁄4 pound Size: Length generally up to about 18 Habitat: Shallow water reefs, harbors and Schooling: Solitary or loose aggregates inches; may reach over 40 inches; weight bays, from nearshore to edge of reef Fishing methods: Pole and line, spear generally up to 16 pounds Feeding: Diurnal; small crustaceans, Habitat: Sandy bottoms, usually over plankton sand patches or channels in reef areas Schooling: Loose aggregates Feeding: Generally nocturnal; crus- Fishing methods: Pole and line, spear taceans, small fish Endemic to Hawaii Schooling: Schools Fishing methods: Pole and line, net, handline Seasonality: More taken December through April Nenue Kyphosus spp. Enenue, sea chub, rudderfish

Description: Gray brown with blue reflec- Moi tions above, fading to lighter below; nar- sexfilis row dark bands on sides between scale Six-fingered rows; some fish have irregular yellow blotches on sides, and on rare occasions Description: Dusky above, silvery on a fish may be entirely yellow. sides and belly, with numerous narrow Size: Length up to 24 inches; weight gen- Päki‘i wavy horizontal lines along sides; fins erally up to 6 pounds Bothus spp. black-tipped; characterized by presence of Habitat: Rough and turbulent waters six long filaments extending from base of along rocky each pectoral fin, and overhanging snout. Feeding: Diurnal; mostly algae Description: Brownish coloration with irregular mottling, lower surface white or Size: Length up to 24 inches; weight gen- Schooling: Schools erally up to 6 pounds tan; coloration changes to match sub- Fishing methods: Spear, net, pole and strate. Habitat: Generally found in sandy holes line along rocky shorelines, or along sandy Size: Length up to 16 inches; weight gen- in surge areas erally up to 4 pounds Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; primarily Habitat: Sandy patches in shallow water crustaceans Feeding: Diurnal; crustaceans and small Schooling: Schools fish Fishing methods: Pole and line, net Schooling: Solitary Seasonality: during summer Fishing methods: Pole and line, spear months; from about May through August small moi (or moi-li‘i) occur in schools along beaches and in sheltered coves Nohu Scorpaenopsis cacopsis Scorpionfish

Description: Mottled camouflage col- oration, reddish brown with irregular white and yellow hues, fading to lighter below; spines venomous.

70 Size: Length up to 5 feet; weight general- ly up to 25 pounds Habitat: Crevices and holes in nearshore reef areas by day; moves in open on reef after dark Feeding: Nocturnal; fish and crustaceans Schooling: Solitary Fishing methods: Spear, pole and line, trap Po‘opa‘a ‘Upäpalu Cirrhitus pinnulatus Apogon spp. Stocky hawkfish Cardinalfish

: Brownish above fading to Description Description: Coloration varies with lighter below, with white mottlings; body species; generally light red or brown with and fins have red spots; head bluish white iridescent hues; dark horizontal bands with brownish orange markings. present in some species. Size: Length up to 10 inches; weight gen- 1 Size: Length up to about 7 inches, ⁄2 pounds Roi erally up to 1 depending on species; weight generally up argus 1 Habitat: Hides in crevices during the day; to ⁄4 pound at night found in turbulent waters of surge Peacock Habitat: Nearshore caves and crevices zones, often on large rocks or coral heads Feeding: Nocturnal; small crustaceans Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; small fish Description: Purple brown with light blue and crustaceans spots; pale vertical bars present towards Schooling: Solitary when feeding Schooling: Solitary tail , fins edged with yellow. Fishing methods: Pole and line Fishing methods: Pole and line, spear Size: Length up to 20 inches; weight gen- erally up to 5 pounds Habitat: Reefs and rocky areas at depths of about 10 to 40 fathoms, generally near ledges and crevices Feeding: Diurnal; fish Schooling: Solitary Fishing methods: Spear, trap, handline Introduced 1956 and 1961 from Society Islands `Ü`ü Myripristis spp. Puhi Soldierfish, menpachi spp. Moray Description: Bright red by day, lower sides become silvery at night. Description: Coloration varies with Size: Length up to 14 inches; weight gen- species; generally brown (darker toward erally up to 1 pound posterior) with numerous round or irregular Habitat: Inshore reef areas, congregating light spots, depending on species; large Uhu in caves and crevices during the day fanglike teeth. Scaridae Feeding: Nocturnal; plankton, crusta- Size: Length up to 5 or 6 feet; most under ceans 2 feet; weight occasionally reaches 70 pounds Schooling: Schools Description: Coloration varies with Fishing methods: Spear, handline, net, Habitat: Crevices and holes in rocky or species, sex and age; males are generally reef areas; rarely exposed, except for trap more gaudy, with colors dominated by Seasonality: Spawns late spring to mid- head blues and greens, females are generally Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; fish and summer; generally more taken in late sum- more bland with colors dominated by red- mer and early fall crustaceans dish browns or grays; teeth are fused Schooling: Solitary together and resemble a beak. Fishing methods: Spear, pole and line, Size: Length up to 2 feet or more; weight trap generally up to 15 pounds Habitat: Rocky areas and coral reefs, usually more abundant at outer edge of reef Feeding: Diurnal; algae, crustaceans Schooling: Solitary or small groups; juve- niles tend to school Fishing methods: Spear, net Puhi ühä cinereus White eel, mustache conger, tohe

Description: Grayish brown on dorsal surface, fading to lighter below, alternating light and dark bars on body when feeding; well-developed pectoral fins are present. 71 CARANGIDS (Jacks and their allies)

Kamanu Elagatis bipinnulatus ‘Öpelu macarellus scad Description: Dark blue above followed in succession down side by light blue stripe, Description: Bluish or greenish yellow Akule, halalü yellow stripe, another light blue stripe; yel- above fading to silvery white below, dark crumenophthalmus lowing silver below, yellow fins. spot on upper part of gill cover. Bigeye scad, aji Size: Length up to 4 feet; weight general- Size: Length up to 20 inches; weight gen- ly up to 10 pounds erally up to 2 pounds Description: Silvery blue above fading to Habitat: Open water, usually near sur- Habitat: Near in surface and mid- silvery white below, yellow tail fin; very face; may be found with other fish around water; juveniles school far out at sea large eyes. floating objects Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; plankton, : Length up to 15 inches; weight gen- Size Feeding: Diurnal; fish and squid especially small crustaceans erally up to 2 pounds Schooling: Solitary or small school Schooling: Schools Habitat: Mid- or surface waters along coast, or shallow banks near shore Fishing methods: Trolling with small Fishing methods: Caught by handline at lures or baits, by handline, or from shore night, and with special lift nets during the : Nocturnal; small crustaceans Feeding with baitcasting gear day Schooling: Large schools Considered an excellent food fish. Seasonality: Spawns from about March Fishing methods: Halalu (juveniles up to to the middle of August; juveniles enter about 5 inches) taken with light tackle; coastal areas in late fall and winter akule are generally taken handlining at Considered an excellent food fish; also night, or by day with net or pole and line popular as bait and live chum for large Seasonality: Spawn from about March , , and other predators. through October, at which time they form large schools in shallow water; halalu common about July to December Lai An excellent food fish. Scomberoides lysan Leatherback

Description: Slate blue above, fading to silvery below; fins may have yellowish tinge; leathery skin with small needle-like scales. Omaka Size: Length up to 2 feet; weight general- Atule mate ly up to 2 pounds Kahala Yellowtail scad dumerili Habitat: Inshore coastal waters, sheltered bays and harbors, brackish water areas Greater : Silvery body with greenish near mouths of streams Description yellow tinge, marked with 9 or 10 darker Description: Light metallic brown with Feeding: Diurnal; smaller schooling fish- vertical bars; yellow tail, black spot behind purplish tinge; light yellow horizontal band es, especially mullet and nehu, crus- eye on edge of gill cover. taceans extends from head to base of tail, fades Size: Length up to one foot; weight gener- after fish is caught; dark diagonal streak Schooling: Schools near the surface 3 ally up to ⁄4 pound through eye. Fishing methods: Often caught by shore Habitat: Protected bays and ; Size: Length up to 6 feet; weight general- anglers casting bait or lures for young juveniles very abundant in fall around ly up to 120 pounds jacks; also by net; should be handled floating objects, especially ; not Habitat: Deeper coastal waters, typically carefully because of sharp anal spines found in open sea 60 to 600 feet or more; lives near bottom; Not widely sought after for food; skin is Feeding: Diurnal; plankton, mostly small young often found around floating objects valued for making trolling lures. fish and crustaceans at sea Schooling: Schools Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; fish and squid Fishing methods: Mostly taken with light tackle from shore and piers; occasionally Schooling: Solitary or small school taken with net Fishing methods: Caught mostly by fish- Seasonality: More common March to ing over deep-sea ledges or drop offs; October usually taken handlining offshore, but often come close enough to shore to be Considered an excellent food fish. caught with baitcasting gear; occasionally by spear or trap

72 ULUA Fishing methods: Casting from rocky shores and ledges Like other carangids, ulua are fast-swim- Seasonality: Uncommon year round in ming predators, feeding on a variety of fish main and crustaceans. Juveniles, known collec- tively as päpio, tend to live close to shore for protection, then move toward deeper waters as they get older. Ulua are extremely popular gamefish, and the flesh is very good to eat. Pake ulua sexfasciatus Adult , menpachi ulua, sasa

Description: Dark blue-green to gold above, yellow-green to silver below, upper Juvenile lobe of tail fin dark with black tip; juveniles have four to seven dark vertical bands. Ulua kihikihi Size: Length usually under 3 feet; weight ciliaris generally up to 15 pounds , kagami ulua Habitat: Young fish found in brackish Ulua aukea water areas out to deeper coastal waters; Description: Adults dusky white, often Caranx ignobilis adult fish live along rocky shores in turbu- darker along dorsal area, with bluish, lent water over reefs White ulua, greenish, and yellowish hues; juveniles sil- Feeding: Nocturnal; fish and crustaceans very blue above and bright silver below, Schooling: Solitary Description: Pale olive above with green- with a diamond shaped body and long ish tinge around head, white sides, yellow trailing filaments extending from dorsal Fishing methods: Handline; juveniles anal fin; color varies to darker shades, and anal fins; as fish gets older body taken with pole and line depending on fish's temperament and time becomes more elongate, and filaments Seasonality: More abundant spring to of day; breast nearly scaleless except for begin to disappear. mid-summer patch of about 10 scales in middle. Size: Length up to 40 inches; weight gen- Size: Length over 5 feet; weight generally erally up to 40 pounds up to 120 pounds Habitat: Juveniles often found in harbors Habitat: Papio caught near shore, adult and other sheltered waters, upon reaching fish found over nearshore reefs; often hid- maturity move to deeper and more open ing in caves during the day water, often taken from depths of 60 to Feeding: Nocturnal, but occasionally 200 feet caught by day; fish, , crustaceans Feeding: Diurnal; mostly crustaceans Schooling: School; when large (over 30 Schooling: Solitary or small school pounds) generally solitary or in pairs ‘Ömilu Fishing methods: Handline Caranx melampygus Fishing methods: Casting from rocky , hoshi ulua shores and ledges; handline, trap, spear Seasonality: Young common in summer, adults common year round Description: Juveniles silvery blue above fading to silver below, with yellow pectoral An excellent food fish, the white ulua is fins; as fish ages bluish-black spots begin widely considered to be the ultimate to appear all over, and body changes to shoreline gamefish. neon blue; fins, especially first dorsal, also blue; breast completely scaled. Ulua Size: Length up to 3 feet; weight general- helvola ly up to 20 pounds , dobe ulua Habitat: Juveniles found in shallow bays and estuaries; medium sized fish (6 to 20 Description: Dark dusky color, easily inches) taken over reefs; adults often identified by looking inside mouth; move in close to shore by following chan- and roof of mouth are white, back of nels in coral reefs, swimming over the reef mouth and throat and gill areas are bluish by day Ulua lä‘uli black. Feeding: Mostly diurnal; small fish Caranx lugubris Size: Length up to 20 inches; weight gen- Schooling: Solitary or small groups erally up to 3 pounds Black trevally Fishing methods: Usually taken with sur- Habitat: Dropoff areas, generally 100 to fcasting gear; trolling, spear, net, handline, Description: Dark brown, with almost 200 feet trap; juveniles taken with pole and line black head; may tend toward a creamy or Feeding: Nocturnal; small fish and crus- dusky shade; breast completely scaled, taceans scutes distinct; definite notch above snout Schooling: Schools in profile. Fishing methods: Handline Size: Length over 3 feet Habitat: Outer reef channels Feeding: Nocturnal; fish and crustaceans Schooling: Form large schools when feeding

73 Size: Length up to 4 feet; weight general- Size: Weight up to 80 pounds or more, ly up to 40 pounds but few exceed 40 pounds Habitat: Bays and coastal waters Habitat: Open water, generally staying Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; fish, below 60 fathoms during the day, then crustaceans and octopus moves close to surface by night Schooling: Schools Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; fish, squid and crustaceans Fishing methods: Handline Ulua pa‘opa‘o Schooling: Schools Gnathanodon speciosus Fishing methods: Longline, handline Golden trevally Seasonality: More abundant during sum- mer months Description: Creamy yellow with silvery SCOMBRIDS and bluish hues, marked by series of 8 to ( and their allies) 12 darker greenish vertical bands; jaws of adults contain no teeth. Scombrids are carnivorous fishes that feed Size: Length up to 3 feet; weight general- on , crustaceans and other small ly up to 10 pounds fishes. They have well-contoured torpedo- Habitat: Generally found in sandy chan- shaped bodies, the most perfect shape for nels and bars close to shore high-speed swimming. The anterior dorsal Feeding: Uncertain; fish and crustaceans fin can be completely tucked into a groove ‘Ahi po‘o nui Schooling: Small schools on the back. Scombrids often live in large Thunnus obesus Fishing methods: Pole and line, net schools, and many species are known to migrate over long distances. Seasonality: Uncommon year round Description: Blackish blue above fading to silvery below, yellowish finlets; closely resembles ahi, but has larger eyes. Size: Weight generally up to 150 pounds, but some have been known to reach 300 pounds Habitat: Open water, generally staying below 60 to 70 fathoms by day, then mov- ing closer to surface by night ‘Ahi Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; fish, Ulua Thunnus albacares squid and crustaceans orthogrammus Schooling: Schools Yellowspot trevally, jack, papa Fishing methods: Handline, longline Description: Blackish blue above fading to Seasonality: More abundant late fall Description: Silvery blue above fading to white below; faint yellow stripe extends through late spring silvery white below, bluish and golden from eye to tail, soft dorsal and anal fins hues on fins; sides marked with a few and finlets bright yellow; dorsal and anal lemon-colored round spots, which tend to fins lengthen with age. fade as fish gets older. Size: Weight up to 300 pounds Size: Length up to 2 feet; weight general- Habitat: Open water, generally found over ly up to 5 pounds deepwater banks and submarine ledge Habitat: Near shore areas at depths to 1000 fathoms; young Feeding: Diurnal; small fish and crus- fish often travel near the surface taceans Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; fish, Schooling: Solitary or small groups squid and crustaceans Aku Katsuwonus pelamis Fishing methods: Trolling, spear, pole Schooling: Schools and line Fishing methods: Longline, pole and line, trolling, handline Description: Dark metallic blue above, Seasonality: Adults more abundant late light dusky blue below, with four or five spring through early fall; juveniles abun- dark purplish longitudinal stripes on side of dant fall and winter belly. Size: Weight averages about 18 to 22 pounds during the summer, 5 to 12 pounds during the rest of the year Habitat: Generally found in waters 100 fathoms and deeper Butaguchi Feeding: Diurnal; fish, squid and crus- Pseudocaranx dentex taceans Buta ulua, thicklipped jack ‘Ahi palaha Schooling: Schools Thunnus alalunga Fishing methods: Pole and line (aku Description: Dark silver above fading to , tombo boat ), trolling light silver below, dark spot at upper edge Seasonality: Taken year round, but most of gill cover; juveniles have yellow horizon- common during spring and summer tal streak extending through eye and along Description: Blackish blue above fading side of body to base of tail; thick fleshy to silvery below; long pectoral fins which lips, pointed snout, and concave depres- extend beyond the soft dorsal and anal sion in front of eyes. fins.

74

Billfish are carnivorous fishes of the open ocean, feeding on squid and relatively large fishes. They are characterized by the presence of a spear, or bill, which is actually an extension of the upper jaw. A‘u Kawakawa The bill helps streamline the fish, and is indica Euthynnus affinis often used to slash at schools of prey; the , hida Wavyback skipjack billfish then feeds on the wounded fish. Description: Variable coloration; most Description: Dark blue or bluegreen are dark slate blue above fading to silvery above fading to silver below; about 12 below; may have pale blue stripes or blue dark wavy marks on dorsal area. patches on sides that fade quickly after Size: Weight up to about 20 pounds, but death; pectoral fins don't fold against most are around 4 or 5 pounds body. Habitat: Open water, but somewhat close Size: Most average about 200 pounds, but have been known to reach 1800 to shoreline, generally in depths less than A‘u 100 fathoms; often found over dropoffs, or pounds Tetrapterus audax in association with aku; young may enter Habitat: Pelagic , nairagi bays and harbors Feeding: Diurnal; fish and squid Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; small Schooling: Solitary fish, squid and crustaceans Description: Royal blue above fading to silvery below, with lavender or pale blue Fishing methods: Trolling, longline Schooling: Schools vertical stripes on sides; dorsal and anal Fishing methods: Trolling, pole and line fins cobalt blue; high pointed dorsal fin. Seasonality: Present throughout year, Size: Weight up to 150 pounds or more; but most abundant during summer when most average about 25 to 100 pounds the fish come fairly close to shore in large Habitat: Pelagic schools Feeding: Diurnal; fish and squid Schooling: Solitary or small schools A‘u Fishing methods: Trolling, longline Tetrapterus angustirostris Seasonality: Taken mostly in spring and , hebi fall Description: Deep metallic blue above Ono fading to silvery and white below; no sig- Acanthocybium solanderi nificant markings; upper jaw extends on a Wahoo short distance beyond the lower jaw. Size: Average weight about 20 to 40 Description: Dark blue above fading to pounds, rarely exceeds 100 pounds silver below, with about 30 purplish-gray Habitat: Pelagic A‘u vertical bars on sides that flash bright blue Feeding: Diurnal; squid and small fish when the fish is fighting a hook. Makaira nigricans Schooling: Solitary or small schools Size: Weight up to 100 pounds, average Pacific blue marlin, kajiki Fishing methods: Trolling, longline 30 to 40 pounds Seasonality: Most abundant during win- Habitat: Roams the surface waters of the Description: Cobalt blue above fading to ter and early spring open sea, usually over deep-sea ledges; silvery below, with pale blue vertical often found near floating logs and other stripes on sides and blue patches on dor- objects sal area and tail. Feeding: Diurnal; fish, squid and crus- Size: Weight averages about 300 to 400 taceans pounds, but some exceeding 1400 pounds have been taken Schooling: Solitary or small schools Habitat: Generally taken over bank areas Fishing methods: Trolling, longline where baitfish are abundant, and over off- Seasonality: More abundant late spring shore ledges where bottom drops off from through fall 100 to 1000 fathoms or more A‘u ku Feeding: Diurnal; mainly aku and other Xiphias gladius tunas Broadbill , shutome Schooling: Solitary Fishing methods: Trolling, longline Description: Coloration varies from Seasonality: Most abundant during sum- metallic purplish to blackish brown, but mer generally dark brown, with silvery irides- cence below; pelvic fins are absent, dorsal fin not retractable. Size: Average weight about 200 to 300 pounds; large fish may exceed 1000 pounds Habitat: Pelagic Feeding: Nocturnal; fish and squid

75 Schooling: Solitary or in pairs DEEPWATER SNAPPERS Fishing methods: Longline, handline Snappers are voracious carnivores, and the species described here are generally found in the deeper waters of Hawaii, up to 150 fathoms (900 ft), as opposed to the nearshore species described earlier. Most deepwater snappers are a uniform bright color, usually with red or yellow hues. A ‘Opakapaka few species have color patterns. Pristipomoides filamentosus A‘u lepe Pink snapper Istiophorus platypterus Description: Light violet brown above fading to dusky white below; pectoral fins yellowish. Description: Body coloration dark steely blue above fading to silvery white below, Size: Length up to 3 feet; weight general- with pale purple vertical bars on sides; sail ly up to 18 pounds cobalt blue to purple with numerous small Habitat: Deep waters, usually 40 to 100 blue spots. Kalekale fathoms; most abundant over rocky bottom dropoffs Size: Average weight about 30 to 50 Pristipomoides sieboldii pounds Kalikali, von Siebold's snapper Feeding: Diurnal and noctunal; fish, squid Habitat: Generally near submerged and sea cucumbers shoals fairly close to shore Description: Light lavender above fading Schooling: School Feeding: Diurnal; small fish and squid to lighter below; scales above Fishing methods: Handline Schooling: Usually solitary; may occur in have pale-blue spots in center which form Seasonality: Most caught during winter small schools lengthwise lines; margin of dorsal fin months orange with light lavender; tail fin dark Fishing methods: Trolling, longline lavender with light margin. Seasonality: Uncommon year round Size: Length up to 2 feet; weight general- ly up to 4 pounds Habitat: Deep waters, usually 80 to 120 DOLPHINFISH fathoms Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; fish, squid and crustaceans Schooling: School Fishing methods: Handline Ukikiki Male Seasonality: Most caught during late fall Pristipomoides zonatus and winter Brigham's snapper, gindai

Description: Pinkish red with four wide vertical yellow bands; dorsal, pectoral and caudal fins yellow. Female Size: Length up to 20 inches or more; Mahimahi weight generally up to 4 pounds Coryphaena hippurus Habitat: Deep water, usually 60 to 100 Dorado Lehe fathoms Aphareus rutilans Feeding: Diurnal; fish, squid and crus- taceans Description: Brilliant green and yellow Lehi, ironjaw snapper dotted with phosphorescent blue, with pur- Schooling: Solitary or small schools plish blue dorsal fin; colors change rapidly Description: Brick red above fading to Fishing methods: Handline when fighting and just before death. silvery below; dorsal fin has yellow spot on Males have an almost vertical head profile, margins and yellow border; tail has yellow- females are more sloping. ish hues. Size: Average weight 20 to 30 pounds; Size: Length up to 3 feet or more; weight occasionally 70 pounds generally up to 25 pounds Habitat: Open ocean, often seen close to Habitat: Deep waters, usually around 100 surface near schools of flyingfish, or fathoms around floating objects Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; fish, Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; squid squid and crustaceans Uku Aprion virescens and small fish, especially flyingfish Schooling: School Gray snapper Schooling: School Fishing methods: methods: Trolling, handline, Seasonality: Most caught during late fall longline Description: Uniform grayish blue, with and winter dorsal area more bluish than below; dard Seasonality: Small fish (up to 5 pounds) blue towards head; three dark spots near common in summer, large fish (30 to 40 base of dorsal fin. pounds) more plentiful in late winter and early spring Size: Length up to 3 feet or more; aver- age weight about 4 to 8 pounds

76 Habitat: Relatively shallow water com- Life history: In Hawaii spawning season pared with other snappers, usually less occurs during the winter and spring and is than 60 fathoms; rocky bottom areas out- limited to reservoir habitats; male builds a side of reef, deep rocky areas near shore circular nest in 3 to 4 feet of water; male Feeding: Generally nocturnal; fish, squid guards the nest and defends and and crustaceans young until they leave. Schooling: Solitary or small groups; large Fishing methods: Light spinning or bait- aggregates when spawning casting gear is recommended, with sur- face or deep running lures, such as plastic Fishing methods: Handline, spear worms, crankbaits or ; effec- Seasonality: Most caught during late Hapu‘u tive live baits include puntat, , cray- spring and early summer when spawning fish and worms. quernus Seale's grouper Introduced to Hawaii in 1896.

Description: Dark purplish brown with small white spots; spots become less dis- tinct as fish grows larger. Size: Length up to 4 feet; weight general- ly up to 50 pounds ‘Ula‘ula Habitat: Deep water, generally 50 to over Smallmouth Etelis carbunculus 120 fathoms Micropterus dolomieui ‘Ehu, red snapper Feeding: Diurnal; fish and crustaceans Schooling: Solitary Description: Red above fading to silvery Description: Coloration varies with loca- pink below; interior of mouth is pink. Fishing methods: Handline tion, generally dark green to olive brown above fading to white below; sides marked Size: Weight generally up to 9 pounds with vertical bars and dark mottlings; jaw Habitat: Deep waters, usually 100 to 150 does not extend back beyond eye; spiny fathoms portion of dorsal fin lower than on large- Feeding: Generally diurnal; fish, squid mouth bass, and not as deeply notched. and crustaceans Size: Weight ranges up to 4 pounds in Schooling: Aggregates Hawaii; state record 4.98 lbs (2004); world Fishing methods: Handline record 11 lbs 15 oz (1955, Kentucky). Seasonality: Most caught during winter Distribution: In Hawaii found on the islands of Kauai and Oahu. Habitat: Found in cool flowing streams FRESHWATER and reservoirs fed by such streams. Feeding: Young feed on crustaceans, SPORTFISH (Introduced) insects and small fishes; adults feed pri- marily on live fishes and crayfish. Life history: In Hawaii spawning season occurs during the spring and is limited to ‘Ula‘ula koa‘e stream habitats; male builds a hollow nest Etelis coruscans in sand and guards the young, viciously attacking any intruder. Longtail red snapper, onaga Fishing methods: Small spinners or pop- pers are effective lures; live baits include Description: Red above fading to silvery crayfish or worms. pink below; dorsal and tail fins red; inside Largemouth Bass of mouth red; caudal fin lobes are elon- Introduced to Hawaii in 1953. gate, upper lobe longer than lower. Micropterus salmoides Size: Weight generally up to 35 pounds Description: Coloration varies with loca- Habitat: Taken over offshore dropoffs, tion, generally dark green above fading to usually in water 100 to 150 fathoms white below; may have faint horizontal Feeding: Generally diurnal; fish, squid band along sides (more distinct in young and crustaceans fish); jaw extends back beyond posterior Schooling: School margin of eye; dorsal fin deeply notched between spiny and soft portions. Fishing methods: Handline Seasonality: Most caught during winter Size: Weight ranges up to 10 pounds in Hawaii; state record 9 lbs 9.4 oz (1992); Ictalurus punctatus world record 22 lbs 4 oz (1932, Georgia). Distribution: In Hawaii found on the Description: Bluish olive to gray above islands of Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii. fading to white below, with dark spots scattered along sides; older males Habitat: Usually found in sluggish waters, become dark in color and lose spots; long occur primarily in reservoirs in Hawaii; pre- barbels surrounding mouth; deeply forked fer submerged logs, weeds or other cover tail. near banks. Size: Generally under 10 pounds, but Feeding: Young feed on crustaceans, have unoffically exceeded 50 pounds in insects and small fishes; adults feed on Hawaii; state record 43 lbs 13 oz (1974); live fishes, crayfish and frogs. world record 58 lbs (1964, South Carolina).

77 Distribution: In Hawaii found on the Fishing methods: Minnow-like lures are islands of Kauai and Oahu. effective; live baits include worms, crayfish Habitat: Occur primarily in reservoirs in and mosquitofish. Hawaii. Introduced to Hawaii in 1951. Feeding: Feeds primarily on small fish, crustaceans, and snails. Life history: Spawning occurs in late spring; eggs are laid in jelly-like masses in Tucunare holes and crevices, and guarded by the Cichla ocellaris male; hatching occurs after about a week, and the male continues to guard the Description: Yellow with a green back young. and white abdomen; vertical bars along Fishing methods: Crankbaits or large sides; during spawning season yellow spinnerbaits are the most effective lures; a color intensifies, and males develop a catfish weighing 51 pounds (unofficially) large hump above the head; prominent Bluegill Sunfish was taken from the Wahiawa Reservoir on black spot on caudal fin. Lepomis macrochirus a spoon; other baits include tilapia, cray- Size: Weight averages about 2 to 3 fish, aku belly, and various stinkbaits. pounds; state record 9 lbs 4.2 oz (1990); Description: Coloration varies somewhat Introduced to Hawaii in 1958. world record 27 lbs (1994, ) with sex and age, generally olive green Distribution: In Hawaii found on the above with blue or purplish sheen along islands of Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii. sides; breeding males may have more Habitat: Generally found in the larger blue and orange on sides; faint vertical reservoirs of the state. bars along sides; opercular flap is dark Feeding: Feeds exclusively on small fish, blue or black, and prominent dark blotch is especially threadfin shad, mosquito fish, present at posterior base of dorsal fin. tilapia and bluegill. Size: Generally 4 to 6 inches in length, Rainbow Life history: Spawning in Hawaii occurs may reach 14 inches; state record 8 oz Oncorhynchus mykiss from about March to September; eggs are (2000); world record 4 lb 12 oz (1950, laid on rocks or other hard objects and Alabama). Description: Bluish or olive green above guarded by one or both parents; hatching Distribution: In Hawaii found on the fading to silvery below, with broad pink lat- takes place within four days, and parents islands of Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii. guard the young; presence of at least one eral stripe; back, sides, dorsal and caudal Habitat: Usually found in lakes, , fins marked with small dark spots. parent is essential for survival of young, so reservoirs and sluggish streams, occur pri- fishermen are urged not to disturb spawn- marily in reservoirs in Hawaii; prefer deep Size: Generally under 3 pounds, but have ing fish which are often visible near shore. unofficially reached 8 pounds in Hawaii; weed beds. : Lures include jigs and state record 5 lbs 10 oz (1991); world Fishing methods Feeding: Young feed on crustaceans, record 42 lbs 3 oz (1970, Alaska). torpedo-shaped lures that resemble min- insects and worms; adults feed on snails, nows; the only effective live bait is mosqui- small crayfish, insects, worms and small Distribution: In Hawaii found on the tofish, mollies or tilapia. islands of Kauai and Hawaii. minnows; feed mostly in early morning and Introduced to Hawaii in 1957. late afternoon and evening. Habitat: Prefers cold water streams with moderate flow. Life history: In Hawaii spawning season occurs in winter and spring; male builds a Feeding: Young feed on small insects and crustaceans; adults feed on fish eggs, circular nest in sandy areas 3 to 6 feet minnows and other small fish (including deep; after fertilizing eggs male chases other trout). female away and guards the nest until fry disperse. Life history: Limited spawning occurs in Hawaii because water are Fishing methods: Worms are the most too high; what spawning does occur takes effective live bait; lures include flies and place from about November to February; small spinners. annual stockings of the Kokee region on Introduced to Hawaii in 1946. Kauai are accomplished with eggs from Oscar California, hatched and raised at Sand Astronotus ocellatus Island, Oahu. Fishing methods: Small spinners or flies Description: Brightly colored with irregu- are effective lures; eggs are used lar red markings on a dark brown body; with good success. prominent black spot surrounded by red Introduced to Hawaii in 1920. ring at base of caudal fin. Size: Weight reaches 3 pounds or more; state record 2 lbs 6 oz (1976). Distribution: In Hawaii found on the island of Oahu. Habitat: Prefers quiet shallow water. Feeding: Feeds on small fish, crayfish, worms and insect larvae. State records as of Feb 2006; Life history: Spawning in Hawaii occurs source Hawaii Fishing News. from about March to September; oscar pairs excavate a circular nest in shallow water, where eggs are deposited; both parents guard the nest. Illustrations: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Les Hata / Hawaii Fishing News, Division of Aquatic Resources, Waikiki 78