Reticulated Flagtail

Kuhlia sandvicensis

The Reticulated Flagtail is a ray-finned fish from the family Kuhliidae, notable for its silvery body adorned with a silver and black reticulated pattern on the head. It has a nearly straight dorsal profile and a strongly forked caudal fin. The dorsal fin comprises 10 spines and 11 to 12 soft rays, while the anal fin features 3 spines and 11 to 12 soft rays. This species can grow up to 25 centimeters in length. This fish is found in the central Pacific Ocean, particularly around Hawaii, Pitcairn Island, and other nearby islands. It inhabits a range of environments, including rocky shores, tide pools, and stream mouths in its juvenile stage, while adults are often found in caves within coral reefs and in the surf zones at the base of cliffs. They are capable of living in both marine and freshwater habitats, although they do not require freshwater for their life cycle. The Reticulated Flagtail feeds on a diet of fish, aquatic invertebrates, and insects. Encounters with this species during a dive can occur in shallow waters, often less than 10 meters deep, where they may be seen in small schools or solitary. The conservation status of this species has not been evaluated by the IUCN.