Animal Species:Fivebar Flagtail, Kuhlia mugil (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

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.

Alternative Name/s

Fiveband Flagtail, Ocean Flagfish

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.

Size range

The species grows to 25 cm in length.

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.

Kuhlia mugil

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Fivebar Flagtail specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

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

Classification

Species:
mugil
Genus:
Kuhlia
Family:
Kuhliidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

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.

 


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Fivebar Flagtail, Kuhlia mugil, Kuhliidae, Fiveband Flagtail, Ocean Flagfish, silver, blue, brown, yellow, stripes or bands, dark bars, 10 cm - 30 cm, shallow water, estuarine, coastal water, tidepools,