Kuhlia marginata (Cuvier, 1829)
Dark-margined flagtail
photo by Dubosc, J.

Family:  Kuhliidae (Aholeholes)
Max. size:  17.9 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; depth range - 2 m, catadromous
Distribution:  Asia and Oceania: Taiwan, Philippines and Indonesia to islands in the Pacific. The name Kuhlia marginata has been misapplied to other species and therefore some literature records may be suspect (Ref. 41640).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-12. Preorbital serrae 18-28; a few fine serrae may be present on suborbital; body depth 2.7-3.05 in SL; orbit diameter 2.75-3.3 in head length; maxilla extending to or slightly beyond a vertical at front edge of pupil; caudal concavity 2.5-3.1 in head length. Silvery, usually with blackish spots posteriorly on dorsal part of body that tends to merge to form bands anteriorly (or the dark pigment is concentrated on scale margins); most of snout and tip of chin blackish; caudal fin pale with a black posterior margin that broadens on lobe tips, then a very broad submarginal pale zone, often preceded by a chevron-shaped blackish band or row of blackish spots parallel with posterior margin; base of caudal fin with small blackish spots; a narrow white margin on soft portion of dorsal and anal fins with a broad blackish submarginal zone anteriorly that narrows posteriorly (broader in dorsal fin than anal) (Ref. 41640).
Biology:  Primarily a freshwater species; extent of penetration into brackish and marine environments uncertain (Ref. 41640). Has been found in moderately deep (1.5-3 m), rocky, unshaded, flowing water areas of mid-hill rivers (Ref. 6028).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 February 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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