Hawaiian Reef Fish
Hawaiian Name: I‘a
Angelfishes
Family: Pomacanthidae
Angelfishes are territorial fish that use their brush-like teeth to eat algae and sponges. The rear-pointing spine on the gill cover of angelfishes is the main trait distinguishing them from butterflyfishes.
Angelfishes also have what is known as a haremic social system in which a single male defends two to five female fish. A favorite sight for many snorkelers and divers, angelfish are also commonly sought after for use in aquariums.
Of the 80 known species of angelfish worldwide, five are native to the main
The aquarium trade accounts for the capture of more than 400,000 Hawaiian reef fish each year, and has severely depleted the populations of many species.
Recent breakthroughs in raising these desirable reef fish in captivity have used a newly developed zooplankton food source for the small fish larvae allowing researchers to raise several species for the first time, including masked angelfish (Genicanthus personatus), Fisher’s angelfish (Centropyge fisheri), and flame angelfish (Centropyge loriculus).
These new scientific techniques for raising Hawaiian reef fish were developed by researchers at the Oceanic Institute, the Waikīkī Aquarium, and the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, and have the potential to ease the pressure on precious and dwindling native fish populations.
These new technologies also may be used in developing an industry in the
[Illustration: Angelfish]
[Photograph: Bandit Angelfish]
Bandit Angelfish (Desmoholacanthus arcuatus)
Length: Up to 7 inches (18 cm).
Endemic
A broad black band runs horizontally for the length of the bandit angelfish’s gray and white body (gray above the band and white to pale gray below). The black band also covers the eye region, giving the appearance of a robber’s (bandit’s) mask. The tail and anal fin also are banded with black. The color pattern of the bandit angelfish is unique among the angelfish.
Feeding on sponges, the bandit angelfish sometimes swims out in the open and often alone, and is a relatively curious fish around humans. An endemic Hawaiian species, the bandit angelfish is seen most frequently at depths of about 80 to 100 feet (24 to 30 m) around most of the Hawaiian Islands, and is particularly common on Kaua‘i where it may be seen by snorkelers. The bandit angelfish feeds on sponges.
The bandit angelfish is sometimes scientifically classified in the genus Apolemichthys, or Desmoholacanthus, rather than Holacanthus.
[Photograph: Fisher’s Angelfish]
Fisher’s Angelfish (Centropyge fisheri)
Also Called: Dusky Angelfish
Length: Up to 3 inches (8 cm).
Endemic
The fisher’s angelfish is orange-brown in color with a bluish-brown sheen and a yellowish tail. An iridescent blue color rims the anal, dorsal and pelvic fins. The tail and pectoral fins are yellowish.
The fisher’s angelfish is often seen in groups of five to ten fish around finger coral at depths of 30 to 80 feet (9 to 24 m) and deeper, feeding on filamentous algae.
Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, the species is named after Walter K. Fisher, a zoologist from California who was involved in research in the Hawaiian Islands in the early 1900s.
[Photograph: Flame Angelfish]
Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loriculus)
Indigenous
Length: Up to 4 inches (10 cm).
Bright (flame) red in color, the flame angelfish has dark black bars running vertically down its body. The flame angelfish also has blue lining its rear fins, and this blue lining is more prominent in males.
The flame angelfish is the most visually striking of the angelfish (along with the bandit angelfish). A slightly brighter red color between the black bars distinguishes the Hawaiian flame angelfish from other flame angelfish.
Relatively rare in Hawaiian waters, flame angelfish are sometimes seen in shallow waters, but are seen more commonly below 60 feet (18 m) deep among finger coral. Flame angelfish eat filamentous algae, and are often seen repeatedly within a relatively small area. They are highly prized as aquarium fish.
[Photograph: Masked Angelfish]
Masked Angelfish (Genicanthus personatus)
Length: Up to 10 inches (25 cm).
Endemic
Female masked angelfish are white, with a black patch on the forehead and over the eye region and above the eyes. There is also a black bar on the tail. Males are white to bluish-gray, rimmed with orange on the tail and around the eyes, with a black bar on the tail.
Masked angelfish are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, but only rarely seen around the main Hawaiian Islands, instead almost exclusively residing in the
Around the main Hawaiian Islands the masked angelfish is usually seen at depths from 200 to 300 feet (60 to 90 m) but may be may be seen at depths of around 60 feet (18 m) or deeper near the
A highly prized aquarium fish, the masked angelfish is sometimes sold for more than $1,000.
[Photograph: Potter’s Angelfish]
Potter’s Angelfish (Centropyge potteri)
Length: Up to 5 inches (13 cm).
Endemic
The potter’s angelfish is the most commonly seen angelfish in Hawaiian waters, and one of the most commonly seen Hawaiian reef fish.
The front of the fish (head and upper body) is rusty orange in color, darkening to a blackish-blue color below (bluer in males), with many irregular, dark grayish to blue vertical lines running the length of the body. The bluish colors are more pronounced in males.
The potter’s angelfish is usually seen at depths of 15 feet (4.6 m) or more down to about 100 feet (30 m). Often seen darting about the coral, the potter’s angelfish feeds on filamentous algae.
This endemic fish gained its scientific species name (potteri) after former Waikīkī Aquarium director Frederick A Potter who ran the aquarium from 1903 to 1940.
Butterflyfishes
Family: Chaetodontidae
Characterized by its tiny, brush-like or comb-like teeth, the butterflyfish’s scientific name (Chaetodontidae) derives from “chaeto,” meaning hair, and “dentis,” meaning tooth.
With narrow snouts well suited for probing crevices of coral reefs, different butterflyfish species utilize different food sources, including plankton, invertebrates, coral, and algae.
There are about 115 butterfly species worldwide, and at least 24 of these species are native to the
There is sometimes a false eyespot near the tail to confuse predators. The butterflyfish’s bright color pattern during the day may differ from its more subdued appearance at night, when the fish generally rests within the many hiding places of the coral reef.
Butterflyfish multiply by releasing eggs that hatch into larvae. The parents give no care to the young. As adults, the fish often travel in pairs that may be long-term mates.
In ancient Hawai‘i, some varieties of the butterflyfish were considered sacred, and are mentioned in ancient chants. The Hawaiian word kīkākapu (kīkā means strong, kapu means forbidden and/or sacred) refers to fish in the genera Cheilodactylus as well as Chaetodon, and specific varieties are referred to with the qualifying terms ko‘a and lua.
Lauwiliwili is the term for Chaetodon milaris, while lau hau refers to the brightly colored Chaetodon umimaculatus and Chaetodon quadrimaculatus. To refer to specific varieties, the term lauwiliwili may be qualified with other terms, such as kīkākapu, kapuhili, nuku ‘i‘wi, wiliwili, or maha uli. The term kapuhili refers to Chaetodon trifasciatus.
Not included here are the extremely rare double-saddle butterflyfish (Chaetodon ulietensis), and the Chevron butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifascialis), which is seen only in the
[Photograph: Bluehead butterflyfish]
Blacklip Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii)
Also called: Bluehead Butterflyfish; Klein’s Butterflyfish
Indigenous
Length: Up to 5 inches (13 cm).
The bluehead butterflyfish is a speckled, golden, yellow-brown in color and feeds on soft corals and zooplankton. The fish has dark (black) colored lips and dark vertical bar running through the eye region, which is brown to black below the eye and blue above the eye.
Each scale also has a bluish spot. The bluehead butterflyfish is a relatively common reef fish around the Hawaiian Islands, usually seen at depths below 40 feet (12 m).
[Photograph: Bluestripe butterflyfish]
Bluestripe Butterflyfish (Chaetodon fremblii)
Hawaiian name: Kīkākapu
Endemic
Length: Up to 6 inches (15 cm).
The bluestripe butterflyfish is common among the shallow nearshore reefs and also seen in deeper waters. Bright blue bands run diagonally to obliquely along the fish’s yellow body, which becomes a darker yellow when the fish is alarmed.
The fish also has a black spot above and behind the eye (on the forehead, or nape), and a black spot at the rear (posterior) of the fish, extending onto the base of the tail and the dorsal fin. Found only in Hawaiian waters and often seen alone, the bluestripe butterflyfish feeds on algae, tubeworm tentacles, and other invertebrates.
Known as a relic species, the bluestripe butterflyfish has no obvious close relatives (which means that it has likely been in Hawaiian waters a very long time). The bluestripe butterflyfish may be seen in shallow water reef areas as well as deeper waters up to about 600 feet (183 m).
[Photograph: Forceps butterflyfish]
Forceps Butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus)
Hawaiian Name: Lauwiliwili Nukunuku ‘Oi‘oi
Also called: Forcepfish; Common Longnose Butterflyfish
Indigenous
Length: Up to 7 inches (18 cm).
A mostly yellow fish with a long, slender snout, the longnose butterflyfish is commonly seen probing the crevices of coral reefs, and is sometimes seen swimming upside down near the roofs of caves.
Also notable for its large, bristling dorsal spines, the longnose butterflyfish has a black upper head region and a black spot on its anal fin. The lower half of the fish’s head is white.
The longnose butterflyfish is probably the most widely found butterflyfish, inhabiting areas from the East Africa to the Red Sea, to Mexico and the Americas. The fish inhabits depths ranging from the shallows down to about 100 feet (30 m), using their long snout to feed on small crustaceans, fish eggs, tubeworms, and the tubefeet of sea urchins.
The common longnose butterflyfish (forcepfish) has a smaller mouth opening than the rare longnose butterflyfish, but is otherwise very similar. The Hawaiian name of the common longnose butterflyfish, lauwiliwili nukunuku ‘oi‘oi, means “sharp beaked wiliwili leaf,” referring to the native wiliwili tree (Erythrina sandwicensis, Hawaiian coral tree). (See Wiliwili in Native Plants and Ferns of the
[Photograph: Fourspot butterflyfish]
Fourspot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus)
Hawaiian Name: Lauhau
Indigenous
Length: Up to 6 inches (15 cm).
The upper portion of the fourspot butterflyfish’s body is dark brown with two large white spots (on each side of the fish). The lower portion of the fish’s body is orange-yellow in color. The scales of this orange-yellow region each have a small brown spot.
The head and tail of the fourspot fish is yellow, and a darker stripe (ocular bar) runs over the eye region. This ocular bar is orangish below the eye but darker above, and narrowly edged with blue and black. The dorsal and anal fins also have a line of blue.
Fourspot butterflyfish often rest beneath ledges and feed mostly on coral polyps. They may be seen in relatively shallow waters, and down to about 50 feet (15 m).
[Photograph: Lined butterflyfish]
Lined Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lineolatus)
Hawaiian Name: Kīkākapu
Indigenous
Length: Up to 12 inches (30 cm).
Usually seen in pairs on shallow reefs as well as deeper areas, the lined butterflyfish is not a particularly common Hawaiian reef fish, but is Hawai‘i’s largest butterflyfish. They may be seen in shallow reef areas but also have been spotted at depths of more than 500 feet (152 m).
More than a dozen dark lines run vertically on the sides of the lined butterflyfish’s white body. A dark vertical bar runs over eye region, and above the eye within this dark bar is a white spot. The dorsal, anal, and tail fins are yellow.
The general appearance of the lined butterflyfish is somewhat similar to the threadfin butterflyfish, but the lined butterflyfish has a wide, black marking that arcs below the dorsal fin and in front of its yellowish tail region.
The lined butterflyfish also has only one set of vertical dark lines, unlike the two diagonal sets of dark lines on the threadfin butterflyfish.
The lined butterflyfish feeds on algae and small invertebrates, such as anemones and coral polyps.
[Photograph: Milletseed butterflyfish]
Milletseed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon miliaris)
Hawaiian Name: Lauwiliwili
Endemic
Length: Up to 6½ inches (16.5 cm).
Also known as the lemon butterflyfish, the milletseed butterflyfish is a friendly, bright yellow fish. Vertical rows of dark spots (resembling millet seeds) line the sides of the fish. There is a dark bar over the eye region and a dark spot at the base of the tail (caudal peduncle). The dark spots, said to resemble millet seeds, are arranged in vertical or diagonal rows.
Milletseed butterflyfish are seen in shallow waters as well as at depths of more than 800 feet (244 m). Their diet is primarily zooplankton but also includes the eggs of the Sergeant Major fish. Milletseed butterflyfish also occasionally clean other fish.
[Photograph: Ornate butterflyfish]
Ornate Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ornatissimus)
Hawaiian Name: Kīkākapu
Indigenous
Length: Up to 8 inches (20 cm).
An attractive and relatively common reef fish, the ornate butterflyfish has six orange bands that run diagonally on the side of the ornate butterflyfish’s white body, which is rimmed with black.
Six vertical black bars, with yellow between, cover the face and head. One of the black bars continues along the length of the dorsal area and onto the fins and tail.
The ornate butterflyfish is found in shallow waters as well as at depths to about 90 feet (27 m). Adults are usually seen in pairs, though they may be seen singly among coral branches feeding on live coral polyps.
[Photograph: Ornate Butterflyfish]
[Photograph: Oval butterflyfish]
Oval Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus)
Hawaiian Name: Kapuhili
Also called: Redfin Butterflyfish
Indigenous
Length: Up to 5.5 inches (14 cm).
A black eye bar is prominent on the oval butterflyfish’s orange-yellow head. Also known as the redfin butterflyfish, the oval butterflyfish’s body is orangish-yellow with nearly horizontal purple-gray lines, and a reddish anal fin.
The oval butterflyfish feeds on live coral polyps, and inhabits reef areas, particularly in calm bay and lagoon areas. Not particularly common, they are usually seen in pairs in shallow waters or at depths to about 60 feet (18 m).
[Photograph: Pebbled butterflyfish]
Pebbled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon multicinctus)
Hawaiian Name: Kīkākapu
Also called: Multiband Butterflyfish
Endemic
Length: Up to 4½ inches (11 cm).
Fairly common in Hawaiian waters but found nowhere else, the pebbled butterflyfish has a cream to tan-colored body with many small brownish-olive spots, and four or five vertical beige-brown bars that sometimes are barely visible. A black bar covers the eye region, and there is black at the outer edge and the base of the tail.
Usually seen pairs or larger groupings, the pebbled butterflyfish feeds on coral polyps. The fish may be seen in shallow reef areas as well as at depths to about 90 feet (27 m).
[Photograph: Pennant butterflyfish]
Pennant Butterflyfish (Heniochus diphreutes)
Also called: Bannerfish; Pennantfish
Indigenous
Length: Up to 8 inches (20 cm).
Two prominent, diagonal black bars on a white body, along with a white pennant (rarely a double pennant), make the pennant butterflyfish easily recognizable. The white banner is actually the fourth dorsal spine and membrane, and this filament grows longer as the fish matures. The pennant butterflyfish’s tail, dorsal fin, and pectoral fin are yellow.
Pennant butterflyfish are sometimes seen in shallow waters but usually at depths below 40 feet (12 m), often near steep dropoffs, feeding on zooplankton. They are often seen in schools.
Pennant butterflyfish are also known to clean other fish. Aquarium lovers appreciate the adaptability of the pennant butterflyfish, and sometimes refer to it as the “poor man’s Moorish idol,” another fish with similar ‘cleaning’ behavior (See Moorish idol section.)
The Moorish idol is somewhat similar in appearance, but has a much longer snout than the pennant butterflyfish.
[Photograph: Pyramid butterflyfish]
Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis)
Also called: Brownface Butterflyfish
Indigenous
Length: Up to 7 inches (18 cm).
A large white triangle (pyramid) in the center of the body of the pyramid butterflyfish is surrounded by yellow. The head is dark brown while the dorsal and anal fins are yellow.
The pyramid butterflyfish feeds on zooplankton and is often seen in large schools. The fish may be seen in shallow waters (e.g., Hōnaunau on Hawai‘i Island’s Kona coast), but is more commonly seen in deeper waters from about 20 to 100 feet (6 to 30 m), preferring steep dropoff zones.
[Photograph: Raccoon butterflyfish]
Raccoon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula)
Hawaiian Name: Kīkākapu
Indigenous
Length: Up to 8 inches (20 cm).
The raccoon butterflyfish has an orange-yellow body (dusky on the top half), with three reddish, diagonal stripes. The black bar over the eye region of this fish bears a resemblance to the raccoon, a small mammal native to
Behind the black eye bar is a white crescent (lunula means “crescent”), and then a black bar extending onto the body and upward. At the base of the tail there is a black spot, extending upward into a narrowing black band. Juveniles have a relatively large false eyespot and are brighter than adults.
Large resident schools of the fish may inhabit particular locations year after year, resting relatively motionless during the day. The raccoon butterflyfish may be seen in the shallows or down to about 50 feet (15 m), feeding on various small invertebrates as well as coral polyps, fish eggs, and algae.
The fish’s body turns brownish at night. The raccoon butterflyfish is not shy, and is commonly seen by snorkelers and divers.
[Photograph: Longnose butterflyfish]
Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris)
Hawaiian Name: Lau-wiliwili-nukunuku-‘oi‘oi
Also called Big Longnose Butterflyfish; Rare Longnose Butterflyfish
Indigenous
Length: Up to 8 inches (20 cm).
With a long snout but a small mouth opening, this fish is well adapted to feeding among the coral reefs. Its body is yellow with rows of blackish spots on the chest area.
The longnose butterflyfish has a longer snout than the forceps butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus), but otherwise is almost identical in appearance. A black color phase sometimes occurs, particularly in longnose butterflyfish populations along the island of Hawai‘i’s Kona Coast.
Longnose butterflyfish may be seen in relatively shallow waters or to depths of about 100 feet (30 m). They feed primarily on crustaceans but also eat fish eggs, tube feet of urchins, and tube worms.
[Photograph: Reticulated butterflyfish]
Reticulated Butterflyfish (Chaetodon reticulatus)
Indigenous
Length: Up to 7 inches (18 cm).
This beautiful fish is quite uncommon throughout the Hawaiian Islands, though is often seen (usually in pairs) along the island of Hawai‘i’s Kona Coast, and sometimes in O‘ahu’s Hanauma Bay. The head and eye of the fish are covered by a black bar that is lined at the front with yellow.
Behind the black eye bar, the fish is gray and black, with a pattern of creamy white to yellow markings (a spot on each scale). There is also a red area on the anal fin. The outer edge of the tail and anal fin are lined with yellow.
Feeding on coral polyps as well as algae, the reticulated butterflyfish may be seen in relatively shallow waters and to depths of about 90 feet (27 m).
[Photograph: Teardrop butterflyfish]
Teardrop Butterflyfish (Chaetodon unimaculatus)
Hawaiian Name: Lauhau; Kīkākapu.
Indigenous
Length: Up to 7½ inches (19 cm).
The teardrop butterflyfish’s most distinctive feature is the large, black, upside-down teardrop-shaped mark on the upper center portion of its body (unimaculatus means “one spot”). The white body is yellow toward the top, and a wide, black bar covers the eye region.
Not a particularly common fish, the teardrop butterflyfish is usually seen in pairs at depths between 20 and 100 feet (6 to 30 m), feeding on coral polyps, worms, crustaceans, and algae. The fish’s blunt mouth is well adapted for chewing hard pieces of coral off the reef.
[Photograph: Thompson’s Butterflyfish]
Thompson’s Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys thompsoni)
Also called: Businessman Butterflyfish
Indigenous
Length: Up to 6 inches (15 cm).
The Thompson’s butterflyfish is recognized by its short, upturned snout and gray to black-brown color, which is quite unlike the showy, bright colors of all other butterflyfish species. Thompson’s butterflyfish are quite friendly but relatively rare, often congregating in schools with pyramid butterflyfish.
The species’ scientific name, thompsoni, honors John W. Thompson who worked for the Bishop Museum from 1901 to 1928, and was known for his colorful casts of Hawaiian fish. Thompson’s butterflyfish are usually seen at depths of 33 feet (10 m) or more, feeding on zooplankton.
[Photograph: Threadfin butterflyfish]
Threadfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)
Hawaiian name: Kīkākapu
Indigenous
Length: Up to 8 inches (20 cm).
A relatively common reef fish, the threadfin butterflyfish is yellow-orange or goldish toward the back, and white at the front with a broad, black bar over the eye region. On the body of the fish are two groupings of dark, diagonal lines that are at right angles to each other.
Above the black spot at the top rear of the fish (on the dorsal fin) is a thread-like filament that is actually an extension of one of the dorsal spines. Threadfin butterflyfish are territorial in pairs, driving away other threadfin butterflyfish but tolerating different species (including other species of butterflyfish).
Threadfin butterflyfish are often seen in pairs in shallow waters at depths to about 50 feet (15 m). They feed primarily on worms, algae, and coral polyps.
[Photograph: Tinker’s butterflyfish]
Tinker’s Butterflyfish (Chaetodon tinkeri)
Indigenous
Length: Up to 7 inches (18 cm).
The body of the tinker’s butterflyfish is black on the top toward the back but white with black spots toward the front. A bar over the eye region is golden yellow, as is the tail. There is also a gold marking on the snout and at the base of the pectoral fins.
Not a shy fish, the tinker’s butterflyfish is easily caught by collectors who export the fish for sale in the aquarium trade. This had made the tinker’s butterflyfish quite rare at depths above 100 feet (30 m), where it feeds on planktonic invertebrates.
The tinker’s butterflyfish is named after marine biologist Spencer Wilkie Tinker, who directed the O‘ahu’s Waikīkī Aquarium for more than three decades.
Parrotfishes
Family: Scaridae
Parrotfishes (Scaridae) are among the largest and most beautifully colored fish inhabiting Hawaiian coral reefs. Of the seven known species of parrotfish native to Hawaiian waters, three are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (found nowhere else).
Parrotfishes use their pectoral fins for propulsion. The tail is also used for propulsion, especially when a burst of speed is required. Parrotfishes may secrete a mucous cocoon around themselves at night as protection from predators, such as eels. The mucous cocoon may also protect the parrotfish from crustacean parasites.
‘A‘ohe e loa‘a, he uhu pakelo.
He will not be caught, for he is a parrotfish, slippery with slime.
Said of a person too wily and wise to be caught.
(Pukui: 131-17)
Parrotfishes are herbivorous, and feed by scraping algae off the surface of coral reefs. They bite into the live coral using their fused teeth (which resemble a parrot’s beak), and ingest the coral along with the algae.
The digestive system of the parrotfish includes bony, grinding plates in the back of the throat that help the fish break down the bits of coral into fine sand. With no true stomach, but with an exceptionally long intestine, they grind the coral into sand, and then expel the sand.
A single adult parrotfish may produce up to 1 ton (.9 mton) of sand per year, making it a major contributor to the sand supply around the
The parrotfish’s bright colors (in most species) and beak-like teeth are responsible for the fish’s common name, parrotfish. The most colorful parrotfish are the terminal phase males (also called dominant males, or supermales), which are females that have changed sex to become males. Juvenile parrotfish appear very different than adults. These color and sex changes are similar to what occurs in wrasse species, the group from which parrotfish are believed to have evolved.
Initial phase adult parrotfish may be male or female, and are generally modestly colored (drab gray or reddish-brown) and often gather in schools. Terminal phase parrotfish are females that have become males, and these are the largest and most colorful of the parrotfish.
They are often bright green or blue-green. Terminal phase fish stake out specific territories and mate with particular females, which may be part of a harem.
The colors of the parrotfish are so beautiful that the fish is sometimes compared to a beautiful person, as in the Hawaiian saying: “Momomi wale ku‘u ‘ono i ka uhu mā‘alo i ku‘u maka, which means,” “My craving makes my mouth water for the parrotfish passing before my eyes.” (Pukui and Elbert, 1986.)
Hawaiian names for the growth stages of the uhu (parrotfish) include ‘ōhua for very young fish, and pānuhu for medium sized fish, while uhu refers to mature parrotfish.
Some parrotfish species have specific Hawaiian names for different phases. For example, an initial phase spectacled parrotfish is known as uhu ‘ahu ‘ula, which is a reference to the colorful royal feather cloaks known as ‘ahu ‘ula. A terminal phase spectacled parrotfish is referred to as uhu uliuli, referring to the fish’s dark, blue-green colors.
[Photographs: Bullethead parrotfish (initial phase; terminal phase)]
Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus)
Hawaiian Name: Uhu
Indigenous
Length: Up to 15 inches (38 cm).
The body of the male bullethead parrotfish is pastel blue-green with an orange-yellow blush on the side (toward the back), and small, vertical, pink lines on the fish’s scales. The female is reddish-black/brown with a double row of white spots toward the back, and with a white tail that has a black spot on it.
The bullethead parrotfish get its common name from the symmetrical shape of its head. A relatively common reef fish, it may be seen in shallow as well as deeper waters, feeding on coral and algae. At night the fish may be seen sleeping in a cocoon of mucous (see Parrotfishes above).
[Photograph: Spectacled parrotfish]
Spectacled Parrotfish (Chlorurus perspicillatus)
Hawaiian Name: Uhu ‘Ahu‘ula (initial phase); Uhu Uliuli (terminal phase).
Endemic
Length: Up to 24 inches (61 cm).
Spectacled parrotfish are grayish-brown to reddish-brown in the initial phase, with red fins and a broad white area at the base of the tail. Terminal phase males are blue-green with a lavender colored head. The upper snout has a purple bar lined with blue.
The terminal male spectacled parrotfish also has orange-pink spots at the front, orange-pink edged scales at the rear, and yellow at the base of the pectoral fins. Spectacled parrotfish feed on coral and algae.
The Hawaiian name for the initial phase, uhu ‘ahu‘ula, is a reference to the royal feather capes (‘ahu ‘ula), which perhaps were compared to the reddish colors on the fish. The term for the terminal phase fish, uhu uliuli, means “dark-colored uhu,” referring to the striking blue-green colors of the fish.
Surgeonfishes (Tangs)
Family: Acanthuridae
Surgeonfishes are among the most abundant Hawaiian reef fish. Also called tangs, surgeonfishes are mostly herbivorous, feeding on algae. The surgeonfish is named for the sharp scalpel-like spines at the base of its tail fin, with one or two of the spines on each side of the fish. These spines are sometimes brightly colored.
The scientific family name of surgeonfish, Acanthuridae, derives from the Greek “akanthos,” which means “thorn.” Sometimes brightly colored, the sharp spines normally lie flat against the body, but in an instant may point outward to ward off predators.
Some surgeonfish species have venom in their scalpels as well as in their fin spines. With a rapid swipe of its tail the surgeonfish is able to slice into predators (and careless humans).
Most surgeonfish prefer relatively shallow water, where they use their specially adapted mouths to scrape algae off coral or rock. Some surgeonfish also eat seaweed.
Large schools of surgeonfish are often seen grazing over shallow reef areas and will readily swarm in large schools near groups of humans intent on feeding them. Hanauma Bay is a common location to observe this fish-human behavior.
At least 24 species of surgeonfish may be seen in Hawaiian waters, though one (Acanthurus lineatus) is extremely rare, with only two of the fish having been spotted.
The Acanthuridae family also includes unicornfish (Naso species), referred to by ancient Hawaiians as kala, which also means “rough,” a reference to the skin of the fish.
The abrasive skin of kala was sometimes used for sanding by ancient Hawaiians. (See Kukui in Seed Lei, Chapter 3), and was used for the drum head of the pūniu, or coconut knee drum.
The pūniu, which is unique to the
Fish in the Naso genus have two spines on each side, and they are fixed in place, while fish in the genera Zebrasoma, Ctenochaetus, and Acanthurus have only one spine per side, and they may fold down almost flush into a groove on the side of the fish.
Surgeonfishes are similar to parrotfishes and wrasses in that they primarily use their pectoral fins for propulsion. The closely related Moorish Idol, the lone member of the Zanclidae family, also uses its pectoral fins for propulsion though it lacks the spines of the surgeonfish.
[Photograph: Achilles tang]
Achilles Tang (Acanthurus achilles)
Hawaiian name: Pāku‘iku‘i
Indigenous
Length: Up to 10 inches (25 cm).
The Achilles tang is mostly black with some white around the margins, and a distinguishing bright orange-red, elliptical (teardrop-shaped) mark near the base of the tail around the scalpel region (in adult fish). The tail fin is mostly orange-red, with a thin black line and then a wider white area at the back of the tail.
Named after the legendary Greek warrior Achilles who was known for his strength and bravery, the Achilles tang is a very territorial fish.
A common Achilles tang behavior is an aggressive burst of speed and a quick turn to display the sharp scalpel-like spine. This is done to intimidate other fish. An agitated Achilles tang may also flare its fins and show a reddish tint to its black body.
The Achilles tang feeds on algae, and prefers relatively shallow reef areas and turbulent waters found near wave action.
[Photograph: Convict tang]
Convict Tang (Acanthurus triostegus sandvicensis)
Also called: Convict Surgeonfish
Hawaiian Name: Manini
Endemic subspecies
Length: Up to 10 inches (25 cm).
The convict tang is greenish-white to yellowish-white with six narrow, vertical black bars from the head to the tail, resembling the stripes of a convict’s jail uniform.
Large schools of convict tangs may be seen grazing on algae in the surge zone near the reef. The post larval stage occurs in tidepools, where juveniles emerge. The adult fish are seen at depths to about 100 feet (30 m).
[Photograph: Orangeband surgeonfish]
Orangeband Surgeonfish (Acanthurus olivaceus)
Hawaiian Name: Na‘ena‘e
Indigenous
Length: Up to 12 inches (30 cm).
The juvenile orangeband surgeonfish is bright yellow and similar in appearance to the yellow tang (see below). The color of the adult orangeband surgeonfish, however, is grayish-brown to light olive (thus the species name, “olivaceus”), usually with the front of the fish being lighter in color, and then abruptly becoming darker on the rear portion of the fish.
Prominently displayed on each side of the fish is a horizontal orange band broadly ringed with blue. The orange band extends back from the gill opening. The base of the dorsal fin is also lined with orange. Near the rear of the tail fin is a crescent-shaped white mark.
The orangeband surgeonfish may be seen near coral reefs, sometimes in schools, feeding on filamentous algae and detritus.
[Photograph: Yellowfin surgeonfish]
Yellowfin Surgeonfish (Acanthurus xanthopterus)
Hawaiian Name: Pualu
Indigenous
Length: Up to 22 inches (56 cm).
Yellowfin surgeonfish are commonly seen on Hawaiian reefs, particularly in areas where humans feeding fish are common.
Purplish-gray in color, the yellowfin surgeonfish has irregular blue lines on the body, a yellow band over the eye region, blue bands on the dorsal and anal fins, and a black spine at the base of the tail. The outer pelvic fins are yellow, and the blue tail fin is lyre-shaped, sometimes with a white band at the base of the tail fin.
Yellowfin surgeonfish sometimes gather in small schools, feeding on algae near the coral reef as well as over sandy areas far from the reef.
[Photograph: Yellow tang]
Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
Hawaiian Name: Lau‘īpala
Indigenous
Length: Up to 8 inches (20 cm).
The yellow tang is a thin, delicate fish with a pointed snout. The fish is completely golden yellow except for the white sheath of its small tail spine. The bright color of the yellow tangs allows them to be identified from shore as they swim in the shallows, particularly along the Kona Coast. The fish also inhabit deeper waters to about 100 feet (30 m).
Yellow tangs are often seen feeding and hiding among branches of finger coral or swimming in calm waters near shore and feeding on filamentous algae. Adult yellow tangs congregate in schools, unlike the juveniles of the species. Juveniles are also are notable for their elevated anal and dorsal fins.
Large schools of yellow tangs are seen only in Hawaiian waters, though the fish is seen in smaller numbers as far away as
The yellow tang is the most popular Hawaiian reef fish captured for export in the aquarium fish trade. This has heavily impacted the populations of the fish around the Hawaiian Islands.
The yellow tang’s Hawaiian name, lau‘īpala or lā‘īpala, meaning “yellow ti leaf” (lā‘ī is a contraction of lau kī, or “leaf of kī.” Kī (Cordyline fruticosa, ti) is a Polynesian-introduced plant. (See Kī in Polynesian-Introduced Plants, Chapter 9.)
[Photograph: Bluespine Unicornfish]
Bluespine Unicornfish (Naso unicornus)
Hawaiian Name: Kala
Indigenous
Length: Up to 27 inches (69 cm).
The bluespine unicornfish is probably the most likely unicornfish to be seen by snorkelers. It is light olive to yellowish gray in color, but darker when feeding on algae in shallow waters (but retaining a light shoulder patch). The tail spines are bright (even fluorescent) blue, with tail streamers on males.
The dorsal and anal fins of the bluespine unicornfish have dark bands and are blue on the margin. A bony horn extends from in front of the eye (though may not be present in small specimens).
Ancient Hawaiians used the skin of the bluespine unicornfish (kala) to make drum heads. A small drum known as a pūniu, or coconut knee drum (unique to the
In ancient Hawai‘i, sanding was done using the skin of the kala fish as well as the skin of manō (Carcharhinus species, sharks), and pumice, or ‘ana (Leiodermatium, siliceous sponge). Sea urchin spines were used for filing.
[Photograph: Orangespine unicornfish]
Orangespine Unicornfish (Naso lituratus)
Also called: Naso Tang
Hawaiian Name: Umaumalei
Indigenous
Length: Up to 18 inches (46 cm).
The orangespine unicornfish has a grayish-brown body with bright orange lips. The fish’s Hawaiian name, umaumalei (“chest garland”), comes from the curved line of yellow extending from the eye to the corner of the mouth, resembling a lei. The snout is black in front of the yellow.
The orangespine unicornfish’s forehead has a dull yellow mark that brightens when the fish is excited (e.g., chasing another fish), and has been likened to a flashlight shining from the fish’s forehead.
As its common name suggests, the orangespine unicornfish has exceptionally bright orange caudal spines (which curve forward), though the fish does not have a rostral horn like some other unicornfish.