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Hawaiian silverside (Atherinomorus insularum) — Atherinidae

Hawaiian silverside

Atherinomorus insularum
Family: Atherinidae

The Hawaiian silverside (Atherinomorus insularum) is a saltwater fish of the family Atherinidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–2.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Hawaiian silverside is a small silverside (Atherinidae) from coastal waters around the Hawaiian Islands in the central Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, translucent, silvery body with a glossy lengthwise band and relatively large eyes. As a schooling fish it swims in great numbers near the surface of bays and lagoons and eats small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hawaiian silverside?

The Hawaiian silverside has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Hawaiian silverside live?

The Hawaiian silverside lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Hawaiian silverside get?

The Hawaiian silverside grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Hawaiian silverside dangerous to humans?

No, the Hawaiian silverside is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hawaii-koornaarvis sourced
English name
Hawaiian silverside sourced
Scientific name
Atherinomorus insularum
Family
Atherinidae
Other names
Hawaiian Islands silverside sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Atherinomorus

More from the family Atherinidae

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