Kuhlia xenura (Jordan & Gilbert 1882)

Preorbital serrae 11-18; body depth 2.3-2.7 in SL; dorsal profile of head of adults slightly concave; eye large, 2.6-2.95 in head length; second anal spine 86-98% length of third spine; pelvic spine 2.2-2.5 in head length; caudal concavity 1.8-2.0 in head length. Silvery, caudal fin dusky to dark gray with a narrow black posterior margin and often a pale band (Ref. 41640).

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 12; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 10 - 11

Young species can be found in shallow water along the coast and in tide pools and estuaries. Adults are found along the outer edge of the reefs. They can often be found in areas of high surge (Ref. 122680). Found in freshwater, brackish and shallow water along the seashores. Those from freshwater feed mostly on algae, insects, planktonic crustaceans and foraminifera, and those from brackish or saltwater eat crustaceans (mainly copepods and amphipods), insects, mollusk larvae, algae, spiders and annelids. Fish of 75-150 mm TL, found in deeper water at the base of exposed cliffs, large tide pools or in rivers or ponds, eat mainly crustacean larvae, especially larger stages of crabs and stomatopods, but small quantities of insects and algae. Large fish >150 mm TL from surf-pounded cliffs, and other exposed localities feed mainly on crustaceans, (mostly crab larvae but also stomatopod larvae and amphipods) and polychaete worms. Adults mainly nocturnal.

Found in brackish water, tide pools, over sand, and near rocks and reef in estuaries, back-reefs, or areas of strong surge (Ref. 58302). Inshore species, often seen in schools (Ref. 41640). Adults nocturnal (Ref. 41640).