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Bonin flagtail (Kuhlia boninensis) — Kuhliidae

Bonin flagtail

Kuhlia boninensis
Family: Kuhliidae

The Bonin flagtail (Kuhlia boninensis) is a fish of the family Kuhliidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bonin flagtail is a flagtail (Kuhliidae) from shallow coastal, estuarine and fresh water of the northwest Pacific around the Ogasawara Islands. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, silvery body with large eyes and a forked tail with conspicuous black bands. As a nocturnal schooling fish it shelters by day at rocks and reef and hunts small crustaceans, insects and small fish in open water at night. It is locally a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bonin flagtail?

The Bonin flagtail is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bonin flagtail live?

The Bonin flagtail is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Bonin flagtail get?

The Bonin flagtail grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Bonin flagtail dangerous to humans?

No, the Bonin flagtail is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bonin-vlaggenstaart sourced
English name
Bonin flagtail sourced
Scientific name
Kuhlia boninensis
Family
Kuhliidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
20 inferred
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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 Kuhlia

More from the family Kuhliidae

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