88 H au> aiian Fis h es 



green color and are marbled with darker spots and bands. The male has 

 a long banner-like dorsal fin. 



This little fish is native to the lowlands, streams, estuaries, and salt 

 marshes from South Carolina to northern Mexico. The date of its 

 introduction into the Hawaiian Islands is uncertain. It is reported by 

 some that it. was introduced by the Legislature in 1905, while others 

 believe that it was introduced into Nuuanu Stream about 1916 by 

 Alvin Scale. 



In Hawaii, this fish inhabits both fresh and brakish water and may 

 be found in lagoons, pools, ditches, and sometimes ventures into the sea 

 where the water is not too salty. In fresh water it is a very effective 

 control for mosquitoes. 



Swordtail Minnow 



48-3 Xiphophorus helleri Heckel 



The swordtail minnow is easily identified by the fact that the males 

 have the lower ray of the caudal fin prolonged into a sword-shaped 

 appendage which is almost as long as the fish and which is golden yellow 

 and edged with black. When born the fishes will measure about one-fourth 

 of an inch and will grow to reach a length of one to four inches. The 

 females are usually larger than the males. 



The swordtail minnow was introduced into the Hawaiian Islands by 

 Charles Montague Cooke, Jr., between 1920 and 1922. It is found today 

 in island streams and ponds from the upper valleys to the canals and 

 taro patches of the lowlands. 



Moonfish or Platy 



48-4 Platypoecilius maculatus Gunther 



The moonfish measures from one to two inches in length and is 

 variously colored due to artificial breeding. In its wild state in Mexico 

 this fish is olivaceous in ground color and is marbled with small black spots. 



The moonfish is a native of the lowland streams of the Atlantic side 

 of Mexico. It was introduced into the Hawaiian Islands and liberated in 

 Oahu streams by Charles Montague Cooke, Jr., in 1922. 



The little fish inhabits ditches and ponds where it swims in small 

 schools near the surface of the water. It is an effective agent against 

 mosquitoes. 



