Description:

Dorsal spines: 10; Dorsal rays: 10-11; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 10-12. 

Oval shaped fish covered in medium-sized ctenoid scales. Silvery colouration with front of snout and chin blackish. Black and white banded tail - a median dark stripe and 
two broad oblique bands on each lobe. Caudal lobe tips are white. Dusky band on distal potion of soft dorsal fin offsetting white tip of anterior section. Juveniles 
(2.0-3.0 cm SL) have the median and outer black bands in the caudal fin lobes, with a black spot basally in the outer part of each lobe, rather than the median stripe of 
larger specimens. 
 

Maturity: Unknown. Max length: 40.0 cm TL, commonly to: 20.0 cm TL.
 

Found in coastal waters, schooling mostly around rocky and coral reefs, and in the surge zone (depth 3-18m). Occasionally occurs in shallow estuarine waters. Juveniles 
often seen in tide pools. A nocturnal feeder, taking mostly zooplankton and small fishes. Forms shoals during daytime.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. 
 

Photos (c) 2021 and courtesy of Guido Carrara. Photos taken off Anse Possession, Praslin. 

Bray, D.J. (2020). Kuhlia mugil in Fishes of Australia. https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4457 (29/10/21). 
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2021). FishBase. Kuhlia mugil (Forster, 1801), Barred flagtail. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/kuhlia-mugil (29/10/21)
Hoese, D. & Mailautoka, K. (2012). Kuhlia mugil. The IUCN Red List 2012: e.T196412A2455231. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T196412A2455231.en. (29/10/21).
McGrouther, M. (2021). Fivebar Flagtail, Kuhlia mugil (Bloch & Schneider, 1801). Australian Museum. https://australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/fivebar-flagtail-kuhlia-mugil/ (29/10/21).  
 

Nevill, J.E.G. & Carrara, G. (2021). Kuhlia mugil, Barred flagtail. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/kuhlia-mugil-forster-1801/