Get documents about "Fishing in Hawaii - A Student Manual
Document Sample
GOATFISH Size: Length up to 16 inches; weight gen-
erally up to 3 pounds
Goatfish are bottom-feeding carnivores, Habitat: Rocky areas, especially lava
easily recognized by the pair of barbels rocks, from nearshore to about 150 feet
under their jaws which are used to locate Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; small
food. Tucked under the sides of the jaw fish, crustaceans
when not in use, the barbels may not be Schooling: Solitary or small groups
immediately apparent. Goatfish are com- Fishing methods: Handline, spear, trap,
mon in inshore waters, and are among the net, pole and line
most popular food fish in Hawaii. Moano
Parupeneus multifasciatus
Manybar goatfish
Description: Reddish with shades of yel-
low and white; black marks behind eye, at
base of pectoral fin, and black saddle
areas in front of first dorsal fin, between
dorsal fins, 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 coral 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
Fishing methods: Handline, trap, spear, Size: Length up to 18 inches; weight gen-
spot between eye and upper edge of gill
pole and line erally up to 2 pounds
cover.
Habitat: Sandy bottom areas near coral
Size: Length up to 20 inches; weight gen-
patches; shallow water (to about 100 feet)
erally up to 5 pounds
Feeding: Nocturnal and diurnal; crus-
Habitat: Various depths throughout reef
taceans, worms
areas, especially under coral heads
Schooling: Schools by day
Feeding: Nocturnal; mostly crustaceans
Fishing methods: ‘Oama (juveniles)
Schooling: Small groups by day, solitary
taken by pole and line; adults by net, trap,
at night
pole and line, spear
Fishing methods: Spear, trap, net, hand-
line, pole and line Moano kea Seasonality: ‘Oama commonly found in
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,
net, pole and line Weke ‘ula, ‘oama
Malu
Parupeneus pleurostigma Mulloides vanicolensis
Sidespot goatfish Red weke, yellowfin goatfish
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. Acanthurus 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-
erally up to 8 pounds erally up to 3⁄4 pound
Kala Habitat: Most reef areas, from shore to
Habitat: Sand patches and limestone bot-
Naso unicornis depths of about 90 feet
toms, usually 60-300 feet
Bluespine unicornfish Feeding: Diurnal; mostly fine algae
Feeding: Diurnal; small fish and crus-
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
species, 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
Upeneus 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; plankton, including crab
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-
erally up to 1⁄2 pound
Habitat: Inshore reef areas, and depths
of 150 feet or more
Feeding: Diurnal, small bits of algae and
decaying plant material
66
WRASSES
Wrasses make up the largest family of
fishes 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 sex conversions Laenihi
from female to male. Coloration changes
Palani as the fish gets older.
Xyrichtys umbrilatus
Acanthurus dussumieri 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 scale 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 patch of black.
‘A‘awa Habitat: Sandy areas at depths of 60 to
Bodianus bilunulatus 300 feet, generally within a few hundred
Size: Length up to 18 inches or more; yards of the shoreline
Hawaiian hogfish, table boss
weight generally up to 3 pounds Feeding: Diurnal; crustaceans
Habitat: Mostly bays and outer reef areas Schooling: Solitary
Description: Juveniles (up to 4 inches)
over sandy patches, usually at depths of
whitish with reddish brown horizontal lines Fishing methods: Handline
at least 10 feet
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, Oxycheilinus unifasciatus
molluscs, sea urchins Ringtail wrasse
Schooling: Solitary
Fishing methods: Handline, spear, pole Description: Color varies with age; at 10
and line inches the fish is plain olive green with
Pualu
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. Thalassoma duperrey Feeding: Diurnal; fish and crustaceans
Saddle wrasse Schooling: Solitary
Size: Length up to 20 inches or more;
weight generally up to 5 pounds Fishing methods: Handline, spear
Habitat: Bays and harbors; 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 animal material as bait
Size: Length up to 1 foot; weight general-
Schooling: Schools
ly up to 1⁄2 pound
Fishing methods: Spear, net, handline
Habitat: Very abundant along shallow
rocky shorelines and reef areas
Feeding: Diurnal; seaweed, crustaceans
Schooling: Solitary or small aggregate
Fishing methods: Pole and line, handline
Generally an incidental catch; food value
considered poor, often used as bait.
Endemic to Hawaii
67
MULLET BARRACUDAS NEARSHORE SNAPPERS
Käkü
Sphyraena barracuda
Great barracuda
‘Ama‘ama, pua
Mugil cephalus
Striped mullet Description: Greyish back turning silvery Ta‘ape
on sides and belly, with irregular black Lutjanus kasmira
flecks on sides. Bluestripe snapper
Description: Body silver with grayish-
green above changing to white below, red- Size: Length up to 6 feet; weight general-
dish tinge around mouth and gills. A simi- ly up to 70 pounds Description: Bright lemon yellow with
lar species, Chelon engeli (summer or Habitat: Various, inshore and offshore; four pale-blue horizontal stripes edged
Australian mullet), is smaller than the juveniles prefer brackish water areas, bays with lavender or deep purple.
amaama, growing to a length of about 8 and stream mouths Size: Length up to 15 inches; weight gen-
inches, and has slightly larger scales. Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; fish and erally up to 11⁄2 pounds
Size: Length up to 2 feet; weight general- squid 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; shrimp and
around mouths of streams and inlets, and ing from shore, trolling 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
the fish should be regarded with caution. Fishing methods: Generally taken at
especially along bottom.
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 Islands 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
and larger eyes. To‘au
Uouoa Lutjanus fulvus
Neomyxus 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 to pale yellow or white below, six or more
silver on the sides, white belly; yellow spot Feeding: Nocturnal; small fish
thin horizontal yellow stripes along side;
present at base of pectoral fins; snout Schooling: Large schools
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.
erally up to 11⁄2 pounds Size: Length up to 13 inches; weight gen-
Habitat: Sandy shores, tide 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 crabs, 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
Aphareus furca nets, spear Hawaiian tenpounder
Smalltooth jobfish, gurutsu Seasonality: More taken during fall and
winter Description: Bright silvery, with blue-
Description: Uniform steel blue or pur- green hue on the dorsal area.
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 Priacanthidae
bands. Bigeye, glasseye
Size: Length up to 12 inches or more,
depending on species; weight up to 5 Description: Variable coloration, from
‘Aha 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;
Needlefish some species plain red by day.
in crevices and caves by day and foraging
over the reef at night Size: Length depends on species, up to
Description: Blue green on back, fading to 20 inches; weight generally up to 3
Feeding: Nocturnal; crustaceans
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 ocean 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
Milkfish
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
Kuhlia sandvicensis Feeding: Diurnal; algae side of caudal peduncle and at base of
Hawaiian flagtail 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. Habitat: Inshore reef and boulder areas;
summer months
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 invertebrates 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- Albula spp.
erally up to 5 pounds Bonefish
Description: Pale brassy or green with Habitat: Various reef areas, generally
four or five black vertical bars; belly white moving into shallower waters during 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.
erally up to 3⁄4 pound crustaceans 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-
Polydactylus sexfilis row dark bands on sides between scale
Six-fingered threadfin 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 Flounder
six long filaments extending from base of along rocky coasts
each pectoral fin, and overhanging snout. Feeding: Diurnal; mostly algae Description: Brownish coloration with
Size: Length up to 24 inches; weight gen- irregular mottling, lower surface white or
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-
beaches 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: Spawn 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,
Po‘opa‘a trap
‘Upäpalu
Cirrhitus pinnulatus Apogon spp.
Stocky hawkfish Cardinalfish
Description: Brownish above fading to 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-
Roi Size: Length up to about 7 inches,
erally up to 11⁄2 pounds depending on species; weight generally up
Habitat: Hides in crevices during the day; Cephalopholis argus
to 1⁄4 pound
at night found in turbulent waters of surge Peacock grouper
Habitat: Nearshore caves and crevices
zones, often on large rocks or coral heads
Description: Purple brown with light blue Feeding: Nocturnal; small crustaceans
Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; small fish
and crustaceans spots; pale vertical bars present towards Schooling: Solitary when feeding
Schooling: Solitary tail region, 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
Gymnothorax spp.
Moray eel 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 Parrotfish 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
Conger 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
Rainbow runner Decapterus macarellus
Mackerel 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
Selar 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 coast 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,
Size: Length up to 15 inches; weight gen- 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
Feeding: Nocturnal; small crustaceans 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 tuna, marlin, 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
Kahala ly up to 2 pounds
Yellowtail scad
Seriola dumerili Habitat: Inshore coastal waters, sheltered
Greater amberjack bays and harbors, brackish water areas
Description: Silvery body with greenish
near mouths of streams
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.
extends from head to base of tail, fades taceans
Size: Length up to one foot; weight gener-
after fish is caught; dark diagonal streak Schooling: Schools near the surface ally up to 3⁄4 pound
through eye. Fishing methods: Often caught by shore Habitat: Protected bays and estuaries;
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 jellyfish; 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 Hawaiian Islands
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
Caranx sexfasciatus
Adult
Bigeye trevally, 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
Alectis ciliaris generally up to 15 pounds
Threadfin jack, kagami ulua
Habitat: Young fish found in brackish
Ulua aukea water areas out to deeper coastal waters;
Description: Adults dusky white, often adult fish live along rocky shores in turbu-
Caranx ignobilis
darker along dorsal area, with bluish, lent water over reefs
White ulua, giant trevally greenish, and yellowish hues; juveniles sil- Feeding: Nocturnal; fish and crustaceans
very blue above and bright silver below,
Description: Pale olive above with green- Schooling: Solitary
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, octopus, 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
Bluefin trevally, 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-
Uraspis helvola ly up to 20 pounds
Cottonmouth jack, 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; tongue 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
Black trevally erally up to 3 pounds
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
and bluish hues, marked by series of 8 to
SCOMBRIDS
(Tunas 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 squids, 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 Bigeye tuna
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
Carangoides orthogrammus Yellowfin tuna Schooling: Schools
Yellowspot trevally, island 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
Schooling: Schools Katsuwonus pelamis
Fishing methods: Trolling, spear, pole
and line Skipjack tuna
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 Albacore, tombo boat type), trolling
light silver below, dark spot at upper edge
Seasonality: Taken year round, but most
of gill cover; juveniles have yellow horizon-
Description: Blackish blue above fading common during spring and summer
tal streak extending through eye and along
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
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 Makaira indica
Euthynnus affinis often used to slash at schools of prey; the Black marlin, 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,
to shoreline, generally in depths less than but have been known to reach 1800
100 fathoms; often found over dropoffs, or
A‘u pounds
in association with aku; young may enter Tetrapterus audax
Habitat: Pelagic
bays and harbors Striped marlin, nairagi
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 Shortbill spearfish, 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
vertical bars on sides that flash bright blue A‘u 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
Description: Cobalt blue above fading to Seasonality: Most abundant during win-
Habitat: Roams the surface waters of the
silvery below, with pale blue vertical ter and early spring
open sea, usually over deep-sea ledges;
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 swordfish, 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
Sailfish 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
Size: Average weight about 30 to 50 dropoffs
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 lateral line 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-
Description: Brilliant green and yellow Lehi, ironjaw snapper taceans
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
and small fish, especially flyingfish Aprion virescens
Schooling: School
Schooling: School Gray snapper
Fishing methods: Handline
Fishing 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- GROUPERS 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 eggs 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 spinnerbaits; effec-
Seasonality: Most caught during late tive live baits include puntat, tilapia, cray-
spring and early summer when spawning Hapu‘u
fish and worms.
Epinephelus 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
Etelis carbunculus 120 fathoms
Smallmouth Bass
‘Ehu, red snapper Micropterus dolomieui
Feeding: Diurnal; fish and crustaceans
Schooling: Solitary Description: Coloration varies with loca-
Description: Red above fading to silvery
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
of mouth red; caudal fin lobes are elon-
Largemouth Bass 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
Fishing methods: Handline between spiny and soft portions.
Size: Weight ranges up to 10 pounds in Channel Catfish
Seasonality: Most caught during winter
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, clams 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
black spot on caudal fin.
Bluegill Sunfish
was taken from the Wahiawa Reservoir on
Lepomis macrochirus
a spoon; other baits include tilapia, cray- Size: Weight averages about 2 to 3
fish, aku belly, liver and various stinkbaits. pounds; state record 9 lbs 4.2 oz (1990);
world record 27 lbs (1994, Brazil) Description: Coloration varies somewhat
Introduced to Hawaii in 1958.
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 Trout 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.
eral stripe; back, sides, dorsal and caudal guard the young; presence of at least one Habitat: Usually found in lakes, ponds,
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.
state record 5 lbs 10 oz (1991); world Fishing methods: Lures include jigs and 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
Feeding: Young feed on small insects occurs in winter and spring; male builds a
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 temperatures 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; salmon 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;
source Hawaii Fishing News.
Life history: Spawning in Hawaii occurs
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 Aquarium
78
