l48 Hawaiian Fishes 



China Fish, Leopard Fish, or Chinese Catfish 



70-1 Ophicephalus striates Bloch 



The China fish is blackish-brown above and is marbled with white 

 on its upper surface. The sides are marked with longitudinal gray lines 

 and the lower surface is of a dirty white color. The fish will reach a 

 length of two feet. 



Native to the lowlands of southern China, Malaya, and India, it was 

 introduced into Hawaii about 1900. Jordan states that it was "doubtless 

 introduced from Borneo," but it is much more likely that it came directly 

 from China. It is the most widely distributed species of the family. 



In its native home the China fish lives in grassy swamps, but in Hawaii 

 it lives in the muddy bottoms of taro patches, streams, and ditches. It 

 has a tenacious hold on life and will live in the mud when the ponds 

 are dry. It will bite at almost any bait within reach. 



THE SILVERSIDE OR FRIAR FISH FAMILY 



Also known as Hardy Heads, Pescados del Rey, Peixerey, 



Fishes of the King, Joel, Sauclet, Brit, and erroneously 



called Smelt or Blue Smelt in California. 



71 Family Atherinidae 



The silversides are small, elongated fishes of a translucent, green 



color and are usually marked with a broad band of silver which is often 



underlaid with black pigment. The tropical species range from two to 



six inches in length, although in the temperate regions of the New 



World some species reach a length of one or two feet. 



They are carnivorous fishes in their habits and, because of their small 

 mouths and feeble teeth, are obliged to feed on small animals. They live 

 in great schools near the shore in tropical and temperate seas and a few 

 species are found in fresh water. They are surface and shore fishes and 

 do not invade deeper waters. The larger species are highly valued as 

 food, but the small species are too small for good eating. Their flesh is 

 dry and delicate in taste. 



Of more than 150 known species, most of which are European, only 

 one species is known from the Hawaiian Islands. 



lao or Hawaiian Silverside 



71-1 Hepsetia insularum (Jordan & Evermann) 

 The Hawaiian silverside is of a clear olive-green color with darker 

 edged scales. The lateral stripe is steel blue above and gradually fades 



