Common name: Rock flagtail

Synonyms and Other Names: Nato, jungle perch.

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Distinguishing characteristics, identification key, and an illustration were given by Allen (1991).

Size: 40 cm SL.

Native Range: Tropical Indo-Pacific; widely distributed in coastal streams from East Africa to Melanesia and eastern Australia (Allen 1991).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Means of Introduction: Intentionally stocked, most likely as a sport fish. According to Brock (1960), a shipment of 43 specimens was brought to Hawaii from Guam in 1957 and held in laboratory tanks; a second shipment, containing 170 fish, was received in 1958. Specimens from the second shipment were subsequently stocked.

Status: Did not survive; extirpated.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: This species is a popular angling fish in Australia (Allen 1991). It inhabits mainly fast-flowing clear coastal streams, but sometimes travels 200-300 km inland in large rivers (Allen 1991). A second species, K. sandvicensis, is endemic to marine and lower stream habitats of Hawaii (Devick 1991).

References: (click for full references)

Allen, G.R. 1991. Field guide to the freshwater fishes of New Guinea. Publication 9 of the Christensen Research Institute, Madang, Papua New Guinea.

Brock, V. E. 1960. The introduction of aquatic animals into Hawaiian waters.  International Revue der Gesamten Hydrobiologie 45:463-480.

Devick, W.S. 1991. Patterns of introductions of aquatic organisms to Hawaiian freshwater habitats. 189-213 in New directions in research, management and conservation of Hawaiian freshwater stream ecosystems. Proceedings of the 1990 symposium on freshwater stream biology and fisheries management, Division of Aquatic Resources, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Maciolek, J.A. 1984. Exotic fishes in Hawaii and other islands of Oceania. 131-161 in W.R. Courtenay, Jr., and J.R. Stauffer, Jr., eds. Distribution, biology, and management of exotic fishes. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.

Randall, J.E. 1987. Introductions of marine fishes to the Hawaiian Islands. Bulletin of Marine Science 41(2):490-502.

Other Resources:
US Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Risk Screening Summary for Kuhlia rupestris

Author: Nico, L.

Peer Review Date: 1/31/2012

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.