'O'opu alamo'o original

Original 5"x7" illustration. Comes matted to 8”x10”.

‘O’opu ‘alamo’o are an endemic amphidromous goby found throughout the Main Hawaiian Islands. They are sexually dimorphic; males have an easily-distinguishable orange and brown-black body, while the smaller females are mottled brown. ‘O’opu ‘alamo’o have the astounding ability to scale some of Hawaii’s tallest waterfalls, such as ‘Akaka falls on Big Island, through a uniquely-adapted suction cup on their bellies. This disc enables them to cling to vertical rocks even while water is flowing above.

‘O’opu ‘alamo’o are listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN. The IUCN is not the only organization that compiles conservation status information for species, however they are the most recognized, with the Red List being the most inclusive inventory of threatened species globally. “Data Deficient” is the status applied when we do not have enough information on population status and trends, threats, total distribution, and other factors. Population and distribution data are critical components to ensuring appropriate protections can be put in place for species.

According to NatureServe, which lists this species as vulnerable, ‘o’opu ‘alamo’o are threatened by stream modifications, introduction of non-native fishes, and adverse weather events. O’ahu populations appear to have undergone the most significant declines, and at one point were even considered extinct. Much of the published information available on ‘o’opu ‘alamo’o is from the 1980s-early 2000s. More current research on population status and distribution would be ideal to encourage proper protection for these unique fish, since stream ecology is easily disturbed and the various impacts have undoubtedly changed over the decades.