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Aholehole (Kuhlia marginata) — Kuhliidae

Aholehole

Kuhlia marginata
Family: Kuhliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Aholehole (Kuhlia marginata) is a brackish-water fish of the family Kuhliidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
17.9 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–2.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to the western Pacific; mainly in hill rivers.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The dark-margined flagtail is a fish of the family Kuhliidae occurring in the Indo-Pacific. The species has a streamlined, silvery body with a forked tail bearing dark margins, to which the name refers, and reaches about 18 cm. It is mainly a freshwater fish inhabiting moderately deep, rocky, flowing reaches of hill rivers, but it can also enter brackish and salt water. The diet consists of insects, crustaceans and small fishes. The species is of local commercial importance and is regularly eaten.

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 margins; inhabits fast-flowing hill rivers.

Where does the Aholehole live?

The Aholehole lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to the western Pacific; mainly in hill rivers.

How big does the Aholehole get?

The Aholehole grows to a maximum of about 18 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 marginata) — Kuhliidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) r-fujii, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Aholehole (Kuhlia marginata) — Kuhliidae — 3
nittan_lover (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Aholehole (Kuhlia marginata) — Kuhliidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Damien Brouste, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Aholehole (Kuhlia marginata) — Kuhliidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) H.T.Cheng, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Aholehole verified
Scientific name
Kuhlia marginata
Family
Kuhliidae
Other names
Darkmargin flagtail; Dark-margined flagtail; Mountain bass; Orange-finned flagtail; Spotted flagtail verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.9 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
2.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to the western Pacific; mainly in hill rivers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, crustaceans and small fishes 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 margins; inhabits fast-flowing hill rivers. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
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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