Hawaiian Fishes 



39 



Like most other fishes the Hawaiians gave it different names at differ- 

 ent ages. The young were called puawa, medium sized individuals were 

 called awa-awa, commercial fish were called simply awa, while the very 

 large fish were called awa kalamoku. 



The awa is a very good food fish. It is a disappointment to fishermen 

 because it will not bite fishing tackle. 



The milkfish is distributed throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans 

 and is common in the Hawaiian Islands. It is a shore fish and prefers to 

 live near sandy bottoms. 



THE SAND EEL FAMILY 



16 Family Gonorhynchidae 



The sand eels are a small family of primitive fishes. They are all of 

 moderate size with elongated cylindrical bodies which are covered with 

 spiny scales. Their mouths are small and their teeth are weak. 



All of the living members of the family are marine. They are semi- 

 pelagic and are reported to extend more or less into sub-tropical waters. 



Only one member of this family is known from the Hawaiian Islands. 



Sand Eel 



I6-I Gonorhynchiis gonorynchus (Linne) 



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This sand eel is a pale, sandy grey color above and white on the lower 

 surface of the body. It is reported as a dainty little fish and reaches a 

 length of at least ten inches. 



It is known to occur about South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, 

 Japan, and the Hawaiian Islands, 



THE TRUE HERRING FAMILY 



Also known as the Round Herring or Great Herring Family 

 17 Family Clupeidae 

 The herring family contains more than 150 known species. Of these, 

 several groups are widely distributed. The herrings live in all seas and 



