Threespot Chromis

Saw this at Captain Cook. This endemic damselfish is usually dark gray or black with three white spots: one above, one below, and one on the base of the tail. It can lighten or darken the spots, which at times almost disappear. Occasionally it turns almost entirely silver gray. 

Threespot Chromis typically lighten their bodies while leaving their fins dark, a color pattern resembling that of the Hawaiian Dascyllus. 

'Awela--Christmas Wrasse

We see many of these beautiful fish at Kahalu'u.

     These fast-moving wrasses inhabit shallow reefs, often in the surge zone, where they feed mostly on crabs and molluscs. Terminal males have bright ladderlike blue-green markings on a reddish body. The brown and green initial phase adults (both sexes) are smaller and drab by comparison. 

At night these fish sometimes sleep in tide pools just above the water line where they can be discovered by flashlight. Juveniles occur in tide pools. 

The female has greenish body with irregular rows of brown spots and stripes.

Kalo--Brown Surgeon Fish

This fish feeds in the shallows close to shore and is so common and unremarkable in color that few pay it any attention. Nonetheless, it is a fascinating animal. 

It varies from dark brown to light grayish brown with a definite lavender tinge, especially on the fins. There are dull orange spots on the head and two dark spots at the base of the tail, one above the other. The tail fin is lunate (crescent-shaped). 

When displaying aggression its upper back and the entire dorsal fin lighten, sometimes becoming distinctly yellow.The species name nigrofuscus means "dark brown." The Hawaiian name refers to a variety of kalo (taro). 

This is the most common fish at Kahalu'u.

Humuhumu'ele'ele--Black Triggerfish

The black triggerfish is a blimp-shaped with bright white lines running along its doral and anal fins. When in the water, it appears to be completely black. However, if it is taken out and exposed to bright light, one can see that it is actually of a dark-blue/green coloration.



It is a common aquarium fish

O'ili--Barred File Fish

One of my favorite fish because he is so cute and odd shaped. Sometimes swims sideways.

Their laterally compressed bodies and rough, sandpapery skin inspired the filefish's common name; it is said that dried filefish skin was once used to finish wooden boats.

Either solitary, in pairs or small groups depending on the species, filefish are not terribly good swimmers; their small fins confine the fish to a sluggish gait. Filefish are often observed drifting head downward amongst stands of seaweed, presumably in an effort to fool both predator and prey alike. When threatened, filefish may retreat into crevices in the reef.

Humuhumu hi'ukole--Pinktail Trigger Fish

Isn't this a beautiful fish!!!

This Triggerfish is named for its "pink tail". The body is so dark it looks black, but in reality it is a very deep forest green color. The dorsal and anal fins have a translucent pinkish-white appearance marked with dark bands at the outside edges, and the pectoral fins have a yellowish color to them.

A shy fish.

Kikakapu--Saddleback Butterflyfish

I have been looking for these beautiful butterflyfish and just saw them today!!!

Golden snout and chest, larger black part on upper part of body, including dorsal fin, white line around black patch. Also note red markings at base of tail, and blue stripes along side of body.

Relatively uncommon in Hawaii.