Saltwater · Year-round in Hawaiʻi; juveniles swarm in brackish pools in summer, adults on reefs all year

Aholehole (Hawaiian Flagtail)

Kuhlia xenura

The aholehole is Hawaiʻi's endemic flagtail: juveniles swarm by the thousands in brackish stream mouths, ponds and pools, while adults move out to rocky reefs and surf zones. Its big dark eye and dark-marked forked tail separate it from other small silvery shoreline fish.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Aholehole (Hawaiian Flagtail) — Photo: Sesamehoneytart, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons

Identifying features

Large, dark eye in a blunt, silvery head
Deeply forked tail with dark markings on both lobes
Deep, compressed silvery body, darker and mottled above
Small dark speckles and a dusky blotch pattern on the upper side in adults
Small, upturned mouth suited to picking at the surface and rocks

Habits

Juveniles swarm in dense schools in brackish pools, ponds and stream mouths
Adults move to reefs, rocky shores and surf zones
Feeds on small shrimp, crabs, worms and insects at edges and in foam
Most active at dusk and at night around rocks
Tolerates wide salinity changes, moving between fresh, brackish and salt water

Distribution

Honolulu, HI · Hawaii★ Primary

Where to find them

Hawaiian stream mouths and loko iʻa fishpond edges
Rocky reef edges and harbour walls at dusk
Tide pools and surf-washed rocks around the Hawaiian Islands

Where they live

Brackish stream mouths, fishponds and tide pools where juveniles swarmRocky shorelines and reef edges where adults holdSurf-washed rocks and harbour walls at dusk

How to catch them

Small baits and flies at stream mouths and ponds Shore

Rig: Light rod, small float and size 10-14 hooks with tiny shrimp or bread, or small flies, fished in brackish stream mouths, ponds and reef edges

Bait/lure: Shrimp pieces, bread bits, small flies

Key tip: Cast to the edge of the juvenile swarm — larger aholehole hold just outside the school.

Micro jigs around rocks at dusk Rock fishing

Rig: Ultralight spinning tackle, micro jigs worked slowly around rocks, harbour walls and reef edges at dusk

Bait/lure: Micro jigs

Key tip: Keep retrieves slow and close to the rocks as light fades — bites come in the foam line.

Best baits & lures

Tiny shrimp pieces on small hooksSmall bread and dough bits under a floatTiny flies and micro jigs

Techniques for Aholehole (Hawaiian Flagtail) →

Baseline setup

Rod: Light 6-7 ft spinning rod
Line: 4-8 lb mono
Terminal: Size 10-14 hooks, small floats, micro jigs and split shot

Recommended gear for this species

Rod · Best value

9' 5-weight fly rod outfit

≈ US$180-260

Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.

Flies · Budget

Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)

≈ US$25-40

Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.

Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.

Typical size

Common 6-8 in (15-20 cm); large fish to about 10 in (25 cm)

On the table

Fair to good — a traditional shoreline food fish in Hawaiʻi, usually fried whole; small, so often released.

Similar species

Yellowstripe GoatfishThe goatfish is whiter with a yellow side stripe and two chin barbels for rooting in sand; aholehole has no barbels, a big dark eye and a dark-marked forked tail

Milkfish (Awa)Milkfish (awa) grows far larger, is long and streamlined with a plain deeply forked tail and no dark tail markings; aholehole stays small and deep-bodied inshore

Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →

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