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Aholehole (Kuhlia rupestris) — Kuhliidae

Aholehole

Kuhlia rupestris
Family: Kuhliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Aholehole (Kuhlia rupestris) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Kuhliidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific; rivers, estuaries and rock pools below waterfalls, often in rainforest.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The rock flagtail or jungle perch is a perch-like fish of the family Kuhliidae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 45 cm and is primarily a freshwater inhabitant, though it may also enter adjacent marine habitats. Adults live in estuaries and the middle reaches of rivers, usually in relatively fast-flowing, clear streams, often in rainforest and in rock pools below waterfalls. The silvery body has a forked tail with dark markings. It is an omnivore hunting insects, crustaceans, small fishes and fallen fruit. The rock flagtail is a valued sport and food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Aholehole?

The Aholehole has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Forked tail with dark markings; inhabits fast-flowing streams and rock pools below waterfalls.

Where does the Aholehole live?

The Aholehole lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific; rivers, estuaries and rock pools below waterfalls, often in rainforest.

How big does the Aholehole get?

The Aholehole grows to a maximum of about 45 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Aholehole dangerous to humans?

No, the Aholehole is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Aholehole edible?

Yes, the Aholehole is commonly eaten.

More photos

Aholehole (Kuhlia rupestris) — Kuhliidae — 2
kurodahaze (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Aholehole (Kuhlia rupestris) — Kuhliidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Lennart Hudel, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Aholehole (Kuhlia rupestris) — Kuhliidae — 4
nittan_lover (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Aholehole (Kuhlia rupestris) — Kuhliidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Tse Chung Yi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Aholehole verified
Scientific name
Kuhlia rupestris
Family
Kuhliidae
Other names
Buffalo bream; Dusky finned bulleye; Jungle perch; Mountain trout; Rock flagtail; Rockmountain bass; Spotted flagtail verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific; rivers, estuaries and rock pools below waterfalls, often in rainforest. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, crustaceans, small fishes and fallen fruits sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Forked tail with dark markings; inhabits fast-flowing streams and rock pools below waterfalls. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with small lures, flies or natural bait in clear, fast-flowing rivers. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Kuhlia

More from the family Kuhliidae

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