Akule are unique in that they spend their life between two marine habitats, the coral reef and open ocean. They are classified as “coastal pelagic” fish. Akule aggregate when spawning, in which they spawn pelagic eggs that hatch into pelagic larvae. Juveniles, called Halalū, migrate inshore and recruit into schools when they are about three to six inches. They spend the next eight to 12 months growing to sexual maturity, around nine inches. They can grow up to 15 inches, but most are between 8 and 10 inches. Adults then move to the open ocean, where they will spend most of their adult life. Adult akule have been found to spawn in the spring and summer months. Before spawning occurs, mature adults move into shallow, sandy, or flat-bottomed areas. Akule predominately feed at night. Their diet consists of small fish and crustaceans that live in the water column.