THE GAME FISH OF MOMBASA AND MALINDI 67 
The barracuda can generally be recognised when hooked 
by his clean rushes on the surface of the water — he rarely 
sounds, and is full of grit to the finish. The natives recognise 
two varieties, the larger of which, the * Mzio,’ is the subject 
of the accompanying photo. 1 I have as yet been unable to 
distinguish any difference, except in size, but both Mombasa 
and Malindi fishermen are unanimous that two species exist. 
Koli-koli. The Kambesi . — This appears to be the 
largest member of its family, and must attain a weight of 
quite 120 lb. I have myself seen a specimen in the Malindi 
market weighing 3 frasilas (108 lb.). It is distinguishable 
from the koli-koli by its dark colour (in very large specimens 
approaching black) and blunter head. I am convinced that 
both Mr. Aflalo’s 64 lb. and Mr. MacMillan’s magnificent 
fish of 72 lb. were kambesi and not koli-koli. 
Both fish are annual, but are more plentiful in the north- 
east monsoon. They are taken freely by trolling, but the 
natives catch more at anchor, or drifting in very deep water, 
baiting with a sardine (either alive or dead) on a single hook 
passed through the eye. The kambesi gives very little fun 
when hooked — persistently boring at great depth. 
Koli-koli, of a much lighter colour and build than the 
above, and when freshly taken shows beautiful iridescent 
hues of green and pink. Like his larger brother, he is a some- 
what heavy fighter and given to boring. The flesh is excellent. 
Wai (plural Mawai ). — As far as I can judge, a visitor 
to Malindi waters only during the months of September, 
October, and November. In coloration and forms the same 
as the koli-koli, but with five to six vertical black stripes, 
much resembling but narrower than our English perch — - 
the spots of the koli-koli are also absent. The mouth is more 
fleshy and more protruding than in either of the above two 
species, which render it very difficult of capture, breaking 
away at once with rough handling. 
Although taking a moving bait, the natives fish for it with 
a single sardine of the smallest variety (kumbu), and use 
1 By an error, due, I understand from Mr. Cuninghame, to photographs 
having been mixed up, the photo of a king-fish ( frontispiece , Vol. III. No. 5) 
is described as a barracuda. 
