Dara (fish)

Lore & Background

The dara was first formally described in 1893 as Haemulon macropthalmus by the Portuguese naturalist Balthasar Osório, with the type locality given as Rolas Island off São Tomé Island. In 1913, the French zoologist Jacques Pellegrin described a new species and placed it in the new genus Parakuhlia, giving it the specific name boulengeri. Pellegrin's taxon was later shown to be a junior synonym of Osório's Haemulon macropthalmus. The generic name Parakuhlia refers to Pellegrin's note that this species is similar in appearance to Kuhlia caudovittata, though it differs in several characteristics. The specific name macrophthalma means 'large-eyed'.

Reader's Guide

The dara is a small, silvery grunt with dark yellow fins, reaching a maximum total length of 20 cm. It inhabits inshore waters along the Atlantic coast of Africa from Senegal to Angola, being commonest in the Gulf of Guinea, at depths between 2 and 20 m, typically over rocky coasts and beaches. It is an oviparous species that forms distinct pairs for spawning, though almost nothing else is known about its biology. The dara is not considered important to commercial fisheries but is caught by artisanal fisheries using seines, set nets, and hook and line; the fish are sold fresh and normally eaten fried or smoked. Its significance lies in being the sole member of the genus Parakuhlia, originally placed in the flagtail family Kuhliidae, and in its distinctive large eyes, which are noted in its scientific name and description.

Did You Know?

• The dara is the only species in the genus Parakuhlia.
• It was first described in 1893 as Haemulon macropthalmus by Balthasar Osório.
• The dara is found from Senegal to Angola, commonest in the Gulf of Guinea.