User:Furunol/Eleotris sandwicensis

Species: Eleotris sandwicensis


 * Outline of Article
 * Currently there is only a brief description of the Eleotris sandwicensis on the wikipedia page, giving very broad descriptions of where they can be found, minor characteristics of the fish (length of fish), and one human use. What I will be adding to this article is more specific information about the locations of eleotris sandwicensis, covering factors about their reproduction, diet, predators/threats, and talking more in-depth about their human uses.

Description

Eleotris sandwicensis also known as ʻoʻopu akupa is a species of fish that is native to Hawaii. The eleotris sandwicensis is a flatter fish almost like a smaller catfish that varies in color most commonly seen in darker black/gray or brown with green/yellow spots surrounding its body. The eleotris sandwicensis can grow up to 33 centimeters in length.

Anatomy and Morphology

The Eleotris sandwicensis is considered an ambush predator that uses suction to hunt its prey. Like other species that rely on suction to capture prey, the eleotris sandwicensis also shares similar characteristics, such as enhanced cranial muscles and level mechanism that controls its highly kinetic feeding apparatus. While the eleotris sandwicensis excels in quick actions when hunting prey thanks to its strong suction capabilities it also has its weaknesses. The weakness of the eleotris sandwicensis is its inability to swim upstream/up waterfalls because it does not have a fused pelvic fins.

Distribution

Eleotris sandwicensis, an endemic species of Hawaii can be located towards any estuarine regions on any of the Hawaiian Islands.

Habitat

This species is endemic to Hawaii and can be found in the lower parts of streams and in the ocean as hatchlings, which then proceed to make their way into the lower part of streams soon after. Within the streams the eleotris sandwicensis are most commonly found in pools, runs, and fast riffles.

Reproduction

Eleotris sandwicensis release their eggs into the streams that they inhabit. After these eggs reach the hatched larvae state they then begin to move downstream towards the ocean. In the ocean the larvae live there for the next five months until they are ready to migrate back into fresh water streams, where they will reside for the rest of their lives.

During these reproductive cycles the eleotris sandwicensis can produce anywhere between 5000 to 55000 eggs.

Diet

The Eleotris sandwicensis is considered an ambush predator that uses suction to hunt its prey. When hunting the eleotris sandwicensis will eat any type of fish or insects it can find.

Predators/Threats

Birds and other native fish are all predators to the Eleotris sandwicensis. Some examples of threats to the Eleotris sandwicensis are the ‘auku‘u bird, āholehole and ulua fish. Other dangers that the Eleotris sandwicensis can encounter include the degradation of the estuarine regions and invasive species. The degradation of estuarine regions will not affect the species itself but its ability to reproduce, through the degradation of the habitat the flow of water may not function how it previously did causing delays or prevention of larvae ability to travel into the ocean and come back to the streams after their five month period at sea. With the introduction of invasive species, comes unknown diseases and parasites, as well as the invasive species itself being a direct threat to the species whether it be through attacking the species or stealing the food of the species. With all these factors the introduction of a new species can drastically affect any species due to the many variables introduced when they arrive.

Human Use

This species is consumed and used for bait to catch pāpio which are younger Ulua. The Ulua has a potential to grow over five feet in length and can weigh in the hundreds.

Cultural Significance

The Eleotris sandwicensis held significance through its taste. Native Hawaiians valued the species because of its delicious meat.

References

https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/items/86e96a3b-b156-4a68-8d45-aecf8296a936

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1055790316000300

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jfb.14224

https://academic.oup.com/biolinnean/article/111/2/359/2415962

https://www.proquest.com/docview/304435392?parentSessionId=llnQuI6g1sr59MVnzSJra23jJDFFZAPBQ4aXmIbPZoo%3D&pq-origsite=primo&accountid=27140&sourcetype=Dissertations%20&%20Theses

http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/waipio/Critter%20pages/eleotris.html

https://www.marinelifephotography.com/fishes/gobies/eleotris-sandwicensis.htm

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/files/2019/03/SWAP-2015-Eleotriss-oopu-akupa-Final.pdf

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/files/2014/04/fishes_of_hawaii.pdf

https://www.civilbeat.org/2018/12/there-are-limits-to-the-oceans-bounty/ (Picture only)