Hanauma Bay Reef Fish Photos and text by Rico Leffanta

One of the greatest thrills of Hanauma Bay is swimming among schools of exotic fish - not tiny aquarium fish, but dinner-plate, platter, and banquet- sized fish that shimmer like liquid rainbows!

Go swimming anywhere else, and immediately when fish see you, the fish vanish; but in Hanauma Bay, you can meet fish as long as your arm, face-to-face! And if you think that fish in your face is exceptional, just turn around and look at all the fish following along behind you!

	Hanauma Bay is known for weird and wonderful fish in all shapes, sizes and colours. This Bluespine Unicornfish ("Kala") (Naso unicornis) still swims around Hanauma Bay, patiently waiting for someone to discover the purpose of that horn on its head!
	A good example of the incredible variety is this Redbar hawkfish (Cirrhitus fasciatus) with the brilliant blue fish in the background shown much larger than it actually is. If you look at the blue speck in the upper right hand corner, you will see the actual size of this tiny fish in the grand scheme of Hanauma Bay!
	"Connect-the-dots" (Aluterus scriptus) immediately command your attention with the brilliant blue dots begging to be connected into some design. Although usually found in deep water, they can be seen in this deep hole "makai" (oceanside) of the reef at Hanauma Bay.
	Bluestripe snappers (Lutjanus kasmir) are not native to Hawaiian waters, but were introduced from Tahiti, in 1956, as a game fish.
	Chub (Kyphosus ) , also called "Rudderfish" ("nenue") were among the first to show up when it was legal to feed the fish at Hanauma Bay, but can still be seen looking for an handout!
	The Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus) is not related to aquarium "angel fish" despite the resemblance. Like turtles, they are fond of sponges.
	These tiny pufferfish are seldom noticed, but should be!
	The Hawaiian Flagtail (Kuhlia sandvicensis) likes to sleep during the day, but never turns down a free meal.
	The humuhumunukunikuapua'a (Rhinecanthus rectangulus) is the State Fish of Hawai'i. It is a bold triggerfish, usually unwilling to hang around for a portrait photo. The Hawaiian name translates to, "fish with a snout like a pig" as triggerfish tend to grunt like a pig when cornered.
	The Bluefin Trevally (Caranx melampygus) is a large, very fast predator seldom seen among swimmers anywhere but Hanauma Bay. Travally are commonly sold as "ulua" in Hawai'i.
	Jellyfish usually converge on Hanauma Bay 7-10 days after the full moon. If you get stung, my remedy is to immediately rub sand all over the afflicted area to discharge unfired stings and as soon as possible thereafter apply Anusol to each sting daily for 3 days. Does your teacher know that a group of jelly fish is called a "smack"? (Remember that the next time your mother promises to give you one!)
	Sea urchins are plentiful and can inflect painful punctures in hands and feet; another good reason not to walk on the reef!
	Hawaiian clawed lobsters are desired by many hungry mouths so it isn't surprising they choose the dark crevices!
	Like crabby people, crabs never turn down a free meal - especially lobster!
	The Whitemouth Morai Eel (Gymnothorz meleagris) is the most common eel in Hanauma Bay.
	The cornet fish (Fistularia commersonii ruppell) look like a stick floating in the water...
	Until you meet one face-to-face!
	Trumpet fish (Aulostonums chinensii)are usually brown or grey, but yellow helps it hide within a school of Millett Butterflyfish. (Photo by Gunnel Grubb)
	Star fish are not usually as conspicuous as this one!
	Although this eel eats fish, it doesn't swim like one!
	I saw this rare Triton's Trumpet (Charonia tritonis Linaeus) munching lunch on King Kamehameha Day, June 11, 2003. It needs a good appetite to grow big and strong enough to someday become a "pu" ( the seashell "trumpet" used by Hawaiians for ceremonies, and to call "ohana" (family) home for supper from two miles away!)
	This is how cuttle fish look before they end up in a bird cage!
	The Hawaiian word for octopus is, "He'e", but the word actually used in Hawai'i is "tako", the Japanese word for octopus. Tako is pronounced exactly the same as the Spanish taco, so you can imagine the surprise of Spanish-speaking people when they order a "taco" in Hawai'i and get served octopus!