Squirrelfishes and Soldierfishes, family Holocentridae

More often than not this family’s Hawaiian members are simply offered as (Hawaiian) Soldiers or Squirrelfishes, sometimes with a concessional reference to genus (i.e. Myripristis sp., Holocentrus sp.). The most common aquarium Squirrel species from here is aptly enough, the Hawaiian Squirrelfish, Sargocentron xantherythrum (1), a great captive that stays reasonably small (6"). Just as easygoing, but getting three times bigger, the Giant or Longjawed Squirrelfish, S. spiniferum (2) is also occasionally caught out of Hawaii for our interest. Watch out for this Squirrel’s venomous gill plate spines.

What are often labeled as Hawaiian Bigeye Squirrels, are actually Soldierfish, subfamily Myripristinae. Out of Hawaii two species make up the bulk of shipments; the Brick or Black Soldierfish, Myripristis amaena, and the Bigscale Soldierfish, M. berndti (both 2).

A note re the common name "Hawaiian Squirrelfish". There are a few non-Hawaiian holocentrids sold under this moniker. All require about the same care and rank the same in aquarium suitability.

Ecotype: Shallow to deep reefs, hiding under overhangs and in caves by day, foraging outside by night.

Trumpetfishes, Family Aulostomidae:

The Pacific Trumpetfish, Aulostomus chinensis (2) is becoming more of an item and staying alive more as time goes by. Caveats for it’s care are cautious selection of tankmates, (not too inhaleable, not too pesky), the employment of a covered (they jump) large system (ultimately hundreds of gallons), and plenty of live foods at least at first.

Ecotype: All areas of the reef, often still in a vertical orientation, sometimes co-hunting with another predaceous fish, or stalking within a school of another species.

Cornetfishes, Family Fistulariidae: 

Pipefishes and Seahorses, Family Syngnathidae:

Family Scorpaenidae: Scorpionfishes.

The Hawaiians, being of Polynesian derivation have some scorpionfishes that they call Stonefish though the virulently venomous Synancea verrucosa does not occur there. Luckily the dangerous Stingfishes (subfamily Choridactylinae) and Waspfishes (subfamily Tetroginae) are also absent. The two Scorpionfish that are regularly offered out of Hawaii are superb aquarium species. The endemic Hawaiian or Sphex Lionfish, Pterois sphex (1), and Leaf Scorpionfish (1), Taenionotus triacanthus stay small and beautiful, and alive.

Some of the other 23 Hawaiian scorpaenid family members are suitably small and good-looking, but they rarely make it into pet-fish markets

Ecotype: Like their second common name, Rockfishes are found on the bottom, generally motionless amongst the rocks and sand. Virtually undetectable to prey and divers.

Helmet Gurnards, Family Dactylopteridae:

Orbicular Velvetfishes, Family Caracanthidae:

Groupers & Basses- Family Serranidae. As far as serranids go, Hawaii is rather depauperate. There are three Basslets, Liopropoma species that are good looking, but too deepwater to be commercially viable. Likewise some Anthias hail from here, but most are also too far down. A few specimens do make their way in, though they’re rightfully high-priced. The Hawaiian Fancy Bass or Bicolor Anthias, Pseudanthias bicolor (2) is often listed by wholesalers in the genus Mirolabrichthys. Formerly called a subspecies of P. ventralis (2), the Hawaiian Longfin Anthias, P. hawaiiensis is now recognized by Randall as a separate species. Occasionally, much as for the Flame Angelfish, this fish is caught (in more than 100’) and shipped elsewhere for the aquarium trade.

The only bass regularly caught for our use is a non-endemic. The Blue Dot, Argus or Peacock Grouper, Cephalopholis argus (1) was imported to the Islands back in 1956 from Moorea, French Polynesia as a food and game addition. It grows to two feet in length.

Pseudanthias bicolor (Randall 1979), the Bicolor Anthias. Indo-Pacific, Mauritius to the Hawaiian Islands. To five inches in length. Also a hardy large reef aquarium species. One male by itself or with several females. Aquarium and Hawai'i pix.

Pseudanthias hawaiiensis, Randall 1979, the Hawaiian Longfin Anthias. Looks very similar to Pseudanthias ventralis but found only in Hawaii. Up to four inches in length. A male pictured on the left, and the female on the right. Images from the Kona side of the Big Island of Hawai'i.

Ecotype: Near rocky areas to deep reefs where they can skulk and dive into crevices.

Bigeyes, Family Priacanthidae: Have... very large eyes and deep, compressed bodies. Mostly red in color but can quickly change to silver and red barred to all silver. Feed on large zooplankton by night. Four Hawaiian species, two deepwater. 

Hawkfishes, Cirrhitidae. Most Hawkfish species that come out of Hawaii are available for less money from further into the Indo-Pacific. Nonetheless, a few Arc-Eye (Paracirrhites arcatus)(1) and Forster’s or Blackside (P. forsteri) (1) Hawkfishes make it into the trade from Hawai’i. Far fewer Longnose Hawks, Oxycirrhites typus (1) come from here due to greater depths and incidental relative high costs, though they make great aquarium specimens.

The Blood Red or Redbarred Hawkfish, Cirrhitops fasciatus (1) is a real beauty, stays small (4.5") and very hardy. It has an unusual broken distribution, found only in Hawai’i in the Pacific and Mauritius and Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.

Lastly, and the least attractive and largest (at a foot long), the Stocky Hawkfish, Cirrhitus pinnulatus (2) is occasionally caught out of here.

Ecotype: Coral reefs, resting on top of coral or rock, or hiding under it.

Cardinalfishes, Family Apogonidae: Small (under five inches) reclusive fishes (nocturnal feeders) with large eyes, big mouths (one of the few families of mouthbrooding marines). Two dorsal fins, stocky appearing bodies. Ten species occur in Hawai'i. 

Sand Tilefishes, Family Malacanthidae: One Hawaiian species, often encountered in pairs on sandy bottoms... rapidly dives into sandy holes on approach. 

Remoras, Family Echeneidae: Aka sharksuckers for their habit of attaching to sharks with their modified dorsal fin. Sometimes Remora remora is encountered attached to large sharks, and Remorina albescens on manta rays, but most often seen is Echeneis naucrates. 

Jacks, Family Carangidae: Mainly large, silvery predaceous fishes that are constantly on the go and wary of divers. Have two dorsal fins and a lunate caudal. 

Snappers, Family Lutjanidae: Rounded, longish bodied fishes with big mouths to match. It seems like Hawai'i has a good representation of these important game fishes, but of the five species found here, only two that are relatively uncommon are naturally occurring (Aphareus furca, Aprion viresens in shallow water, Aphareus rutilans, two Etelis and four Pristopmoides sp. in deepwater). 

Lutjanus fulvus (Forster 1801), the Blacktail Snapper. Indo-Pacific; East Africa to Marquesas, Line Islands, Japan, Australia. Occasionally used as an aquarium fish. Young found in sheltered bays, around mangroves. Adults on surrounding reefs near boulders. Feed at night on fishes, crustaceans, sea cucumbers, squid and octopus. Pix from Hawai'i (aquarium at Waikiki), Bunaken, Indonesia and Nuka Hiva, Marquesas, Polynesia.  http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=262&genusname=Lutjanus&speciesname=fulvus

Emperors, Family Lethrinidae: One species in Hawai'i, the mu!

Mullets, Family Mugilidae: 

Part 2 of 5, To: Part 1, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5