The name 'ō'io may refer to other species of bonefish in Hawaii, such as the longjaw bonefish Albula virgata, and the sharpjaw bonefish Albula argentea.
Taxonomy and nomenclature
Bonefish were once believed to be a single species with a global distribution, however, 11 different species have since been identified.
Description
Shortjaw bonefish may weigh over 8.6 kilograms (19 lb) and be 90 cm (35 in), making them one of the largest species of bonefish. Like other bonefish, they have an elongated, silvery white body, with large scales.
Angling
Recreational angling for shortjaw bonefish is popular in Hawaii, Cook Islands, Christmas Island, and French Polynesia. Anglers must be cautious when angling in some Pacific destinations because of the high rates of post-release predation that released bonefish can experience with sharks. Reef sharks on sandy flats are highly capable predators that can detect injured or stressed bonefish, and research has shown that high numbers of bonefish can be eaten very soon after release. When angling, bonefish should be brought in quickly with extremely limited handling. Faster release yields better outcomes for bonefish that are captured by anglers. Flats with high densities of sharks should be scrutinized by anglers before fishing.
Article text: Wikipedia contributors, Shortjaw bonefish (source revision). Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Retrieved 2026-10-11.