The Hawaiian ladyfish (''Elops hawaiensis''), also known as the Hawaiian tenpounder or banana fish, is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

ray-finned fish Actinopterygii (; ), members of which are known as ray-finned fish or actinopterygians, is a class of bony fish that comprise over 50% of living vertebrate species. They are so called because of their lightly built fins made of webbings of sk ...

in the family

Elopidae The Elopidae are a family (biology), family of ray-finned fish containing a single living genus ''Elops''. They are commonly known as ladyfish, skipjacks, jack-rashes, or tenpounders. The ladyfish are a coastal-dwelling fish found throughout t ...

. It is sometimes referred to as the giant herring, though it is not closely related to the true

herring Herring are various species of forage fish, belonging to the Order (biology), order Clupeiformes. Herring often move in large Shoaling and schooling, schools around fishing banks and near the coast, found particularly in shallow, temperate wate ...

s of the family Clupeidae. Its Hawaiian name is ''awa 'aua''. It is native to the west central

Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five Borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean, or, depending on the definition, to Antarctica in the south, and is ...

, and the current classification may in fact consist of several species.

Description

With an elongated body, enormous eyes, and a formidable mouth, ''Elops hawaiensis'' is a striking sight to behold. Its head and body gleam with a silvery-white sheen, almost like polished metal, with a captivating bluish tint glistening along the back. The eyes, with their inky black pupils, are surrounded by transparent, glass-like tissue. The tips of the dorsal and caudal fins are tinged with a striking black, giving them a dramatic flair. The pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins are partially see-through, bathed in a delicate yellowish hue that catches the light in a mesmerizing way. When hooked, it performs an acrobatic display reminiscent of a tarpon, leaping out of the water with impressive force. Despite its size, reaching up to 24 inches and 22 pounds, its flesh is dry and bony, rarely consumed except when transformed into fishcakes. This enigmatic fish continues to intrigue and challenge anglers across its vast range, captivating the imagination of those who encounter it.

Distribution and Habitat

''Elops hawaiensis'' has an impressive distribution, found in the waters of Australia, Hawaii, and the Philippines. In Australia, this species thrives in both tropical and subtropical waters. On the east coast, its range stretches down to the bustling city of Sydney, while on the west coast, it reaches as far south as the scenic town of Albany. Even in the relatively quiet waters of South Australia, a few specimens have made their appearance, adding to the intrigue of this widespread species. In the mysterious waters of the Eastern Indian Ocean, stretching all the way to Japan, Hawaii, and Polynesia, an elusive predator prowls. This fascinating creature avoids shallow bays and harbors, preferring the deeper waters where it hunts other fish with precision.

Threats

This species uses estuarine areas and hypersaline lagoons; changes in the quality of these habitats may affect this species' population dynamics. Although this species may not be closely associated with any single habitat, it may be adversely affected by development and urbanization.Adams, A. J., Horodysky, A. Z., McBride, R. S., Guindon, K., Shenker, J., MacDonald, T. C., Harwell, H. D., Ward, R., and Carpenter, K. Global conservation status and research needs for tarpons (Megalopidae), ladyfishes (Elopidae) and bonefishes (Albulidae). Fish and Fisheries (online, early view as of 2013). http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/faf.12017/abstract

References

Elopidae Fish of Hawaii Fish described in 1909 Taxa named by Charles Tate Regan {{Elopiformes-stub