Sharks, Subclass Elasmobranchii. Of the forty species of sharks found in Hawai段, half are deepwater organisms, and all are too large for aquarium use. Two species do come into the trade every now and then, albeit by accident. Juvenile Black Tipped Reef Sharks, Carcharhinus melanopterus (3) and more infrequently White-Tipped Reef Sharks, Triaenodon obesus (3), are caught "by accident" from time to time by haplessly swimming into a tropical fish collectors barrier net. Such "bonus" catches are gratefully gathered and sold at high price (a few hundred dollars) to wholesalers.

Both species reach several feet in length, so these sharks should only be exhibited in Public Aquariums. If you must try a marine shark, please consider one of the smaller Cat Shark (family Scyliorhinidae) (2) and Bamboo Shark (family Hemiscyliidae) (2) species offered in the trade; and do your husbandry homework in advance.

Rays

Ecotype for both species: Uncommon in all marine habitats, shallows to open water.

Morays, family Muraenidae.

The Hawaiian Islands are the land of the Puhi (native lingo for eels). According to some authors these snake-like fishes not only make up the biggest predator pressure on the reefs, but weigh in as the most fish-mass there as well.

Indeed there are thirty eight (not a typo) species of moray eels in Hawai段, only the wrasses have more species here. Most get too big, mean (eat their tankmates, bite you), and apt to jump out for aquarium use, but two of the muraenids deserve their captive popularity. The Zebra Moray, Gymnomuraena zebra (1) and Snowflake Moray, Echidna nebulosa (1), lack the fierce dentition of their piscivorous kin, being specialized crustacean crushers, preferring to eat crabs in the wild. The Zebra can attain some five feet in length, and the Snowflake more than two, but they generally are much smaller in aquarium use.

Though I don稚 endorse the use of the many other morays of Hawai段 for the above stated reasons, we should mention some of them as they are offered in the trade. The first and most commonly offered "variety" is the notorious "miscellaneous" Hawaiian Moray eel; not a species, but several. Be careful here. Some of these Morays grow to several feet and thicker than your thigh. You want to know exactly which species you池e dealing with and its natural history. Of the "miscellaneous" category, you値l find the Tiger Moray, Scuticaria tigrina, Whitemouth Moray, Gymnothorax meleagris, Yellowmargin Moray, G. flavimarginalis, among others. All (here we go again) get big, nasty, and jump or push their way out of aquariums, and therefore rate a (3).

Gymnothorax rueppelliae (McClelland, 1844), the Banded Moray. Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa, to the Hawaiian, Tuamoto, and Marquesan islands. Feeds on fishes and crustaceans, mainly at night. Wary and often aggressive. Grows to roughly 31 inches (80cm). Bands more prominent in juveniles, fade as the animal gets older. Also distinctive brown spot at the back of the mouth, helps ID this eel. This one hiding in the coral at night, of Kona, Hawai'i.

Oh yes, there is one other "non-miscellaneous" large moray worth noting. The Dragon Moray, Enchelycore pardalis (formerly Muraena pardalis) we値l give it a (2). Though it shares the same traits as other large Hawaiian muraenids, due to its high cost perhaps, aquarists tend to provide it better care and keep it longer.

Ecotype: Shallow to mid-depth reefs to bays, rocky habitats. Hide in recesses by day, coming out at night to feed.

Other Eels: Occasionally Snake Eels (family Ophichthidae), Conger Eels (family Congridae) and other species of families of true eels are offered out of Hawai段. They should not be. Most require very specialized care and die quickly (3).

Lizardfishes, Family Synodontidae: 17 species described from HI, some from deeper than divers care to go. Found on or under the sand where they wait in stealth to grab small fishes, crustaceans, squids for food. Sometimes follow divers about apparently for opportunities of "light-stunned" fish prey by flash photographers.

The Frogfishes or Anglers, Family Antennariidae.

At least five of the seven species of cryptic, globular Frogfishes found in Hawai段 are sold in the trade, almost always within three designations: (Assorted) Hawaiian Angler, (Assorted) Colored Hawaiian Angler, and Dwarf or Pygmy Hawaiian Angler. The first two categories are generally "plain" (brownish, mottled) to more "colorful" (red, yellow, orange, black, gray) Commerson痴 Frogfish, Antennarius commersonii, though other species are mixed in. The smaller (a few inches) are principally just juveniles of the larger species but you may happen upon an occasional "true" miniature species like Randall's, A. randalli and the Reticulated Frogfish, Antennatus tuberosus. I値l rank all the Frogfishes (2) for their historical losses due to rough handling, and either starvation in captivity or propensity for swallowing other fish tankmates (even larger than themselves). If you池e going to keep an angler (one to a tank, because they will also eat each other), take care in selecting fellow livestock (too big to be sucked down), and providing adequate food (generally live, but not all consumed by the other livestock).

Ecotype: Hidden by shape, color, fleshy appendages, resting on rocky bottoms, "waiting" for a meal to come by or "fishing" for it.

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