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  There are two species of Kahawai, Arripus trutta and Arripus xylabion. A. trutta are more common, but both species look very similar and are blue-green with black spots on the back and silver undersides. A. tutta reaches a maximum length of 79 cm and A. xylabion can reach 94 cm.
 
 
  There is no available data on the biology of A. xylabion. A. trutta have a maximum age of 26 years and reach maturity at 39-40 cm in length, corresponding to about 4 years old. 
 
 
  Kahawai is mostly found north of Cook Strait at depths to 150 m. They feed on other fish, crustaceans and copepods.
  
             
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 Key statistics 
	
		
	
	| High | 
 
		
	
	| High | 
 
		
		
			
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			| 1 Reported commercial catch is calculated for the 12 month period to 30/09/2026 | 
		 
		
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			| 2 Quota value and exports are calculated pro-rata to reported commercial catch for the 12 month period to 30/09/2026 | 
		 
	 
 
             
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