Division of Aquatic Resources

Oscar

Astronotus ocellatus

Description	Brightly colored with irregular red markings on a dark brown body; prominent black spot surrounded by red ring at base of caudal fin.
Size	Weight reaches 3 pounds or more; state record 2 pounds 6 ounces.
Distribution	O‘ahu.
Habitat	Prefers quiet shallow water.
Feeding	Feeds on small fish, crayfish, worms and insect larvae.
Life history	Spawning in Hawai‘i occurs from about March to September; oscar pairs excavate a circular nest in shallow water, where eggs are deposited; both parents guard the nest.
Fishing methods	Minnow like lures are effective; live baits include worms, crayfish and mosquitofish.
Note	Introduced to Hawai‘i in 1951.

Pongee (snakehead)

Channa striata

Description	Dark mottled coloration on top and sides mixing black with yellow-orange, white below; very large scales and slimy to the touch; eel-like in appearance; excellent eating.
Size	Adults average 2 feet in length and 3 pounds in weight; largest known to have been taken in Hawai‘i exceeded 5 feet in length.
Distribution	O‘ahu; abundant in Wahiawā Reservoir and other reservoirs on the north side of the island.
Habitat	Prefers calm near shore waters and will often float with debris; an obligate air breather, it will suffocate if held under the water on a stringer.
Feeding	A voracious predator, its feeding habits are similar to largemouth bass.
Life history	pawning occurs during the spring and is limited to reservoir or pond habitats; one or both parents will guard the young for several weeks.
Fishing methods	Same as for largemouth bass.
Note	Introduced to Hawai‘i in the early 1800’s.
Warning	Do not put your thumb in fish’s mouth. In addition to the teeth on its jaw, it has large backward-pointing teeth on the roof of its mouth that can inflict deep wounds.

Puntat (Chinese catfish)

Clarias fuscus

Description	Coloration ranges from dark green to brown to black; flesh dark red; no scales; excellent eating.
Size	Average weight about 1 pound; maximum about 2 pounds.
Distribution	Abundant in streams and reservoirs throughout Hawai‘i.
Habitat	Reservoirs and lower to middle reaches of streams; a facultative air breather, its presence may be betrayed by small geysers of water that erupt when it surfaces for air; preference for deep water or dark crevices makes it rarely visible to casual observers.
Feeding	Worms, insects and carrion comprise the diet of these opportunistic feeders.
Life history	Spawning occurs year round under normal conditions; In the event of drought it can survive for weeks in damp mud.
Fishing methods	Worms are the favored live bait; artificial lures are ineffective.
Note	Introduced to Hawai‘i in the early 1800’s.

Carp (Koi)

Cyprinus carpio

Description	Brassy olive above, yellowish on sides and belly in wild form; domesticated koi may exhibit a wide range of brilliant colors; scales large but may vary in form; one variety (leather carp) has no scales; easily differentiated from goldfish by a pair of moderately long barbels at corners of mouth.
Size	Weight up to 20 pounds in Hawai‘i; world record 75 pounds 11 ounces (France).
Distribution	Present in reservoirs on all islands.
Feeding	Omnivorous; root up the bottom when they feed.
Life history	Spawn in spring and summer in Hawai‘i; transparent adherent eggs are broadcast or clumped on nearshore substrate; parents do not protect the young.
Fishing methods	Doughballs or corn are favored.
Note	Introduced to Hawai`i in the 1800’s.

Tilapia

Oreachromis mossambicus

Description	The most common of the four species of tilapia deliberately introduced to Hawai‘i; generally a grey to dark coloration; spawning males are black; concave head shape; red fringe on dorsal fin; large scales. Although there is a local prejudice against the fish, it is in fact good eating (depending on the water it is taken from) and is raised commercially in many areas of the world.
Size	Average weight about 1 pound; maximum 5 pounds.
Distribution	Abundant in reservoirs, lower streams and brackish waters statewide.
Feeding	Primarily herbivorous, but also an opportunistic scavenger.
Life history	Breeds throughout the year but more intensively during the warmer months; digs nests for spawning; female incubates the eggs in her mouth; at moments of danger the fry continue to take refuge in the mother’s mouth for a week or more after hatching.
Fishing methods	Worms and doughballs are effective bait.
Note	Introduced to Hawai‘i in 1951.