Hawaiian silverside shoals

I’ve posted photos of shoals of little fish before, making the assumption that these were juveniles of some fish species or other. However, this year the local snorkeling spot has been thick with these fish. It’s not been unusual for me to get in the water and find myself surrounded by a swirling ball of fish. It can actually be quite disorienting.

Because of this bumper crop, it occurred to me that I really should try to identify these fish. I think the answer is that they’re Hawaiian silversides, an endemic species. The problem is that there are a couple of other possible species, the goldspot sardine and the Hawaiian anchovy. Short of catching a few and examining them in the light of day, it’s hard to tell them apart.

Regardless of species, it’s been fun interacting with the shoals. Swim toward them and the shoal will part, then recombine behind. Point a camera in their direction and they jet off in another direction. It’s best just to float in the water, with the camera pointed in the right general direction. Then they’ll get quite close and I’ll snap a photo or two hoping something will turn out.

In the top photo, a shoal surges by in front of me. Below, the silvery stripe along their bodies can be seen.

13 thoughts on “Hawaiian silverside shoals”

  1. Pingback: Uplifting moments from 2020 | Graham's Island

    1. Graham's avatarGraham Post author

      Yes it was. They’re still around. Sometimes there’s fewer in evidence, but other times I might encounter several really large shoals. It’ll be interesting to see how long they remain in the area.

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  6. Kitty's avatarqitty25

    They look a bit like neon tetra. (and then I read your text lol). No matter what they look awesome. It must be exciting to be among them. Great pictures!

    Liked by 1 person

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