Goatfishes, Family Mullidae. There a handful of Hawaiian Goatfish species that would do well for aquarium use; being hardy, good looking, disease resistant, and accepting all types of foods. The reason few do come in has to do with two common human "problems", not the fish’s. First off, having done a bit of collecting in Hawaii myself, I can tell you there are times (always) when a school of goatfishes tearing into and through your fence net are unappreciated. Secondly, Goats are not demanded much by hobbyists, dealers, wholesalers, all the way up the supply line so they are regularly let out of barrier fish nets, let alone not fished for. This situation would be changed by end-user awareness of the groups desirability, and the utilization of less large, smaller mesh, shallower nets, such as those employed for "wrasse collection".

Most places offer Mullids from here as "Misc.", "Hawaiian" or "Red" Goatfish. The commonest species is Parapeneus bifasciatus (1) (though other reddish species are involved). It’s a shame the wide-ranging Yellowfin (Mulloidichthys vanicolensis)(2) and Blue (Parupeneus cyclostomus)(1) Goatfishes aren’t utilized more from Hawaiian waters.

Ecotype: Goatfishes utilize their jaw barbels to root around in the bottom sand/gravel for food in rubble and shallow reef areas.

Sea Chubs, Family Kyphosidae. <To do: add for HI U/W>

The Stripey, Family Microcanthidae. Formerly classified with the Butterflyfishes, the Stripey, Microcanthus strigatus (1), is sometimes shipped out of the Islands. This is a hardy aquarium species that deserves more attention. Similar in habits and behavior to the brackish to marine Scats (Family Scatophagidae), this fish gets to know its owners so well it will take food by hand.

Hawaiian Butterflyfishes, family Chaetodontidae

Pomacanthidae, Marine Angelfishes. Hawaii’s angels are problematical for aquarists. The two best species are deeper water, scarce and difficult to catch (the dwarf Fisher’s Angel, Centropyge fisheri (1) and Flame Angelfish, C. loricula)(1), and the most common angel, the Potter’s, C. potteri (3) and Bandit, Apolemichthys (Desmoholacanthus) arcuatus (3) do poorly in captivity. I know I’m going to catch some heat for my opinions on the last two, but my collector friends don’t realize just how few Potter’s and "Holos" are alive more than a month after they’ve brought them up. Very few. These should only be tried in "reefs". Two other angelfish species are found in the upper Hawaiian Island chain but not in the trade.

Ecotype: Definite territories on patch and contiguous reefs, defended against others of their kind and similar-appearing fishes.

The Damselfishes, Family Pomacentridae. Due to the vagaries of economics more than anything else, few of the damselfishes found in Hawai’i are collected for our use. The several species found there fit the general mix of some good looking and hardy enough

to be of use, the rest too large, gaudy and/or territorial. About all you find, and that only on occasion from the truly avant-garde LFS (Livestock Fish Stores) are the ill-tempered Hawaiian Dascyllus, D. albisella; soulmates with the all-too similar Domino or Three-Spot, D. trimaculatus. Secondarily, a few wholesalers will carry "misc." Hawaiian Chromis (when collectors sneak them into an order). Of the several Chromis spp. from Hawai’i these are mainly Blackfin (C. vanderbilti) and Agile (C. agilus) Chromis.

Unless the public becomes willing to pay a few bucks more than they do for the "usual suspects" damsel species from the Indo-Pacific they’ll continue to miss out on the not two, but count ‘em, three species of Sergeant Majors that come from here. The endemic Abudefduf abdominalis, the "dirty" Blackspot Sergeant, A. sordidus, or the very wide-ranging Oceania to Indo-Pacific to Indian Ocean and Red Sea, A. vaigensis.

Wrasses, Labridae. Hawai’i is "Wrasse-Land". The most speciose family of fishes here by with 43 species. You’ll have some wrasses in view almost always when diving. Aquarists use a dozen or so of the Hawaiian wrasse species. Counting them down alphabetically by genera, these are:

Anampses chrysocephalus, the Psyche Head or Psychedelic Wrasse (2) common names apply to the male of the species, with Redtail Wrasse often labeling the female. Like most of the family these fish are eventually both (if they live so long); first females, becoming males. Starting with small individuals (3-4") is best. Larger ones, especially males, adapt poorly, and they all are excellent jumpers.

A. cuvier, the Pearl Wrasse is seen occasionally. Named in honor of the famous French Paleozoologist (and superb ichthyologist), Georges Cuvier, this is a fish-only species that fits in much as the more common wrasses of the genus Coris. To 13 inches.

Bodianus bilunulatus, the Hawaiian Hogfish (1), one of two species of hog-wrasses found in the Islands, is as hardy as it’s other namesake species; but does grow to 20 inches.

Cirrhilabrus jordani, the Flame Wrasse (1), like other members of its genus, gorgeous, hardy and tremendous escape artists. Two words of caution re this endemic Hawaiian species; take care to pick out well-acclimated specimens (they come in beat up from collection), and keep your tank well covered.

Gomphosus varius, (1) the Bird, or by the sex, Black Bird (females) and Green Bird Wrasses, are neither common enough, and the cost of living relatively high such that they’re mainly collected out of Micronesia and the Indian Ocean for the trade. A great fish-only system species. To one foot in length.

Gomphosus varius Lacepede 1801, is the much more common Bird Wrasse (1) in the west. Its males are lighter green over-all, and females transversely white to black front to back, with an orangish upper "beak". The common Bird Wrasse is found in Hawai’i to the tropical western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean. At right a juvenile. Below: Female in Hawai'i, male there and in captivity.

Halichoeres ornatissimus, the Ornate or Christmas (Xmas) Wrasse (2). In the right (i.e. peaceful) setting, this fish can live for years; most are bullied into starvation. Readily accept meaty foods; in the wild, crustaceans and mollusks.

Halichoeres ornatissimus (Garrett 1863) is (one of) the three " Christmas Wrasses" (2), aka the Ornate Wrasse to science. This can be a very hardy fish should you secure an initially healthy specimen. Unfortunately, way to many are doomed from the trauma of rough handling through the collection process. To six inches. Below: Juvenile and adult Hawai'i and Aquarium photos. Indo-Pacific to Hawai'i, where it is best imported from.

Labroides phthirophagus, the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse (3). The hardiest member of the genus IMO, but still too delicate for captivity, and needed-useful in the wild for servicing tropicals and pelagics, removing parasites and necrotic tissue from other fishes.

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