The 'O'opu of Iao Stream
'O'opu Alamo'oLentipes concolor Specimens reach up to 6 inches in length and are found in the upper parts of the stream. Males have a black body with a red tale and blue eyes, and females are mottled brown in color and are slightly smaller. It is an omnivorous fish, feeding on both animal and plant matter. The 'O'opu Alamo'o is one of the rarer varieties of 'O'opu, and its name means "lizard" in Hawaiian because of its often colorful, lizard-like appearance. |  |
'O'opu NopiliSicyopterus stimpsoni Another goby endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, which reaches lengths of up to 8 inches. Females are a drab coffee-brown color, while males are a deep blueish-black with long white streaks running laterally from their noses to their tales. 'O'opu nopilis are usually found in the middle and upper reaches of the stream, and feed primarily on algae. They were seen as the Hawaiians as a sign of good luck. |  |
'O'opu NakeaAwaous guamesis The largest of the 'o'opu, attaining lengths of up to 13 inches. Males and females share a mottled brown hue with white bellies and black bands across their sides, and are omnivorous in their feeding habits. They live mainly in the middle reaches of the streams, and are indigenous to Hawaii and other Polynesian islands. Most favored of the gobies by the Hawaiians as a food fish. |  |
'O'opu Naniha Stenogobius hawaiiensis A smaller 'o'opu, never exceeding the length of around 6 inches with black vertical bands running across its pale body. The 'o'opu nanihašs fins are fringed with crimson red, and it has a black blotch extending above and below each of its eyes. It inhabits the lower reaches of the stream, and is a chiefly omnivorous feeder. It is endemic to Hawaii, and often burrows in the stream bed in order to escape predators, and ambush prey.
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'O'opu OkuheEleotris sandwicensis A large mottled brown and black goby which reaches lengths of up to 12 inches and feeds exclusively on other small creatures of the stream. It is endemic to Hawaii, and can be found in estuaries and the lower portions of streams. Because it lacks the fused pelvic fins characteristic of the other 'o'opu species, the 'o'opu okuhe is unable to climb waterfalls or get past rapid portions of the stream. |  |
The 'Opae of Iao Stream
'Opae Kala'oleAtyoida bisculcata The 'opae kala'ole is a yellowish-brown freshwater shrimp which feeds on all types of organic matter. It is usually found under ledges in fast-flowing water, sifting microscopic particles of food from the passing current with specially adapted fan-like pincers. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, and is able to travel overland past rapids during its migration upstream. It was an valued food to the Hawaiians. |  |
'Opae 'Oeha'aMacrobrachium grandimanus A small prawn reaching lengths of around four inches. 'Opae 'oeha'as are omnivorous feeders which live primarily in the lower reaches of the stream and in brackish estuaries. One of their pinchers is far larger than the other, and has black and white stripes. It is endemic to Hawaii. |  |
The Mollusks of Iao Stream
HihiwaiNeritina granosa A large freshwater limpet with a pitch-black shell which can exceed two to three inches in diameter. The shell's underside is orange and white, and the creature is found in most regions of the stream. It feeds chiefly on algae, and is endemic to Hawaii. The hihiwai was also of minor importance to the Hawaiians as a source of food, and large groups may often be seen migrating up streams in long black lines. |  |
HapawaiNeritina vespertina A large freshwater limpet with a pitch-black shell which can exceed two to three inches in diameter. The shell's underside is orange and white, and the creature is found in most regions of the stream. It feeds chiefly on algae, and is endemic to Hawaii. The hihiwai was also of minor importance to the Hawaiians as a source of food, and large groups may often be seen migrating up streams in long black lines. |  |