Hawaiian Giant Herring, Elops hawaiensis Regan, 1909

Scientific name: Elops hawaiensis
Alternative name/s:
Banana Fish, Chiro, Giant Herring, Hawaiian Ladyfish, Pincushion-fish, Torres Strait Herring, Ten Pounder.
Similar species:
A second species from the Elopiformes family, E.machnata, is recorded from Western Australian waters. Its teeth are different from those of E.hawaiensis.
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    23/03/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Giant Herring, Elops hawaiensis Click to enlarge image
Giant Herring. Image: Wayne Power
© Clarence District Fisheries Office

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Elops
    Species
    hawaiensis
    Family
    Elopidae
    Order
    Elopiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 1.2 m in length.

Introduction

The Giant Herring can be recognised by its silvery colour, slender body, relatively large mouth, single dorsal fin and strong forked tail. It is a schooling species found in coastal and estuarine waters.

Identification

The Giant Herring can be recognised by its silvery colour, slender body, relatively large mouth, single dorsal fin and strong forked tail.

Habitat

It occurs in coastal and estuarine waters.

Distribution

This species is recorded from Australia, Hawaii and the Philippines. In Australia, the Giant Herring is recorded in tropical and subtropical waters. On the east coast is is recorded south to Sydney, and on the west coast, south to Albany. A few specimens have also been recorded from South Australia.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Other behaviours and adaptations

The Giant Herring is a schooling species.

References

  1. Allen, G.R & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  2. Glover, C.J.M. in Gomon, M.F, C.J.M. Glover & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  3. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  4. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.