Fivebar Flagtail, Kuhlia mugil (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Scientific name: Kuhlia mugil
Alternative name/s:
Fiveband Flagtail, Ocean Flagfish
Fivebar Flagtail, Kuhlia mugil Click to enlarge image
A 6cm long Fivebar Flagtail caught in a rockpool at Lord Howe Island, September 2001. Image: Geoff Kelly
© Geoff Kelly

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Kuhlia
    Species
    mugil
    Family
    Kuhliidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 25 cm in length.

Introduction

The Fivebar Flagtail can be recognised by body shape and colouration. The five dark bars on the caudal fin give the fish its common name. The species occurs throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Identification

The Fivebar Flagtail can be recognised by body shape and colouration. It is an oval-shaped fish that is covered with moderate-sized ctenoid scales. The species is usually silvery in colour. The upper sides of are sometimes blue, brown or yellowish. The five dark bars on the caudal fin give the fish its common name.

Habitat

It is found in shallow estuarine and coastal waters. Juveniles are sometimes seen in tidepools.

Distribution

The species occurs throughout the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is recorded from northern Queensland to the central coast of New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Allen, G.R., D.F. Hoese, J.R. Paxton, J.E. Randall, B.C. Russell, W.A. Starck, F.H. Talbot & GP Whitley. l976. An annotated checklist of the fishes of Lord Howe Island. Records of the Australian Museum, 30 (15):365-454.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.