List of fish of Hawaii facts for kids

The eight main islands that make up the Hawaiian archipelago.

The beautiful Hawaiian archipelago is a group of islands in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean. It's located southwest of the United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of Australia. These islands are part of the State of Hawaii, which belongs to the United States. The state includes almost the entire chain of volcanic Hawaiian Islands, stretching over 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles).

At the southeastern end of this island chain, there are eight main islands. From northwest to southeast, they are Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui, and Hawaiʻi. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands also include many smaller atolls and reefs. Because Hawaii is so far away from other land, about 30% of its fish species are endemic. This means they are found only in Hawaii and nowhere else in the world!

In total, the Hawaiian Islands have 137 islands and atolls. Their total land area is about 16,636 square kilometers (6,423.4 square miles). These islands and their surrounding oceans are part of a larger area called Polynesia in Oceania.

Hawaii's weather is usually tropical. However, the temperatures and humidity are not as extreme as in some other tropical places. This is because of the steady trade winds that blow from the east.

The waters around Hawaii face some challenges. Pollution from the islands can affect the ocean. Floating plastic garbage is also a big problem. Trash from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch often washes up on Hawaii's beaches. Fishing has also put pressure on Hawaii's fish populations. In the last 100 years, the number of some commercially fished species has dropped by 80-85%.

Because Hawaii is so isolated, it has very few native freshwater fish. None of these fish live only in freshwater. They all either travel between fresh and saltwater (like anadromous fish) or can live in salty ocean water too.

Seven native fish species are commonly seen in Hawaii's fresh waters. These include the flagtail Kuhlia xenura, the mullet Mugil cephalus, and several types of gobies. The gobies are Awaous stamineus, Lentipes concolor, Sicyopterus stimpsoni, and Stenogobius hawaiiensis. There is also the sleeper goby Eleotris sandwicensis. Three of these gobies (A. stamineus, L. concolor, and S. stimpsoni) are amazing! They can actually climb waterfalls to reach higher parts of freshwater streams. Many other fish species have been brought to Hawaii's freshwater habitats. Some of these have become invasive, meaning they can harm the native fish and their environment.

Amazing Fish of Hawaii

Hawaii is home to many different kinds of fish, both in its freshwaters and its vast ocean. Here are some interesting facts about a few of them!

Angelfish: Colorful Reef Dwellers

Angelfish are known for their bright colors and flat, disc-shaped bodies. They are often found swimming around coral reefs.

• The Masked angelfish (G. personatus) is a special type of angelfish. It is endemic to Hawaii, meaning you can only find it here!
• The Nahacky's angelfish (C. nahackyi) is another unique Hawaiian angelfish.
• Other angelfish found in Hawaii include the Fisher's angelfish (C. fisheri), Flame angelfish (C. loriculus), and Japanese angelfish (C. interrupta).

Barracuda: Fast Hunters

Barracudas are long, slender fish with sharp teeth. They are known for being fast and fierce hunters in the ocean.

• The Barracuda (S. barracuda) is a common sight in Hawaiian waters.
• The Blackfin barracuda (S. qenie) is another barracuda species found here.
• The Japanese barracuda (S. helleri), known as Kaweleʻā in Hawaiian, also lives around the islands.

Blenny: Small and Shy

Blennies are small, often shy fish that live in shallow waters, usually hiding among rocks or corals.

• The Hawaiian zebra blenny (I. zebra) is an endemic blenny, meaning it's only found in Hawaii.
• The Marblehead blenny (E. marmoratus) and Scarface blenny (C. vanderbilti) are also unique to Hawaii.
• Other blennies like the Hump-headed blenny (B. gibbifrons) and Mangrove blenny (O. obliquus) can be found here too.

Butterflyfish: Reef Beauties

Butterflyfish are famous for their vibrant colors and patterns, making them a favorite sight on coral reefs.

• The Milletseed butterflyfish (C. miliaris), called Lauwiliwili in Hawaiian, is endemic to Hawaii.
• The Pebbled butterflyfish (C. multicinctus) and Speckled butterflyfish (C. ephippium) are also Hawaiian natives.
• Many other types of butterflyfish live here, such as the Big longnose butterflyfish (F. longirostris), Bluestripe butterflyfish (C. fremblii), and Yellow longnose butterflyfish (F. flavissimus).

Damselfish: Territorial and Bright

Damselfish are often small and very territorial, guarding their patch of reef.

• The Hawaiian gregory (S. marginatus) and Hawaiian rock damselfish (P. sindonis) are endemic to Hawaii.
• The Hawaiian sergeant major damsel (A. abdominalis), known as Mamo, is also unique to these islands.
• You can also spot the Blue-eye damselfish (P. johnstonianus) and Gray damselfish (A. sordidus) in Hawaiian waters.

Eels: Slippery and Mysterious

Eels are long, snake-like fish that often hide in crevices and holes in the reef.

• The Hawaiian conger (C. marginatus), or Puhi ūhā, is an endemic conger eel.
• The Hawaiian garden eel (G. hawaiiensis) is another unique eel species.
• Many types of moray eels live here, including the Brown speckled eel (G. steindachneri), which is endemic.
• Other morays like the Giant moray (G. javanicus) and Snowflake moray (E. nebulosa) are also found in Hawaii.

Goatfish: Bottom Feeders with "Beards"

Goatfish are known for the two long "whiskers" or barbels under their chin, which they use to search for food in the sand.

• The White saddle goatfish (P. porphyreus), called Kūmū, is endemic to Hawaii.
• Other goatfish species include the Bandtail goatfish (U. arge) and Manybar goatfish (P. multifasciatus).

Gobies: Small but Mighty Climbers

Gobies are small fish, and some Hawaiian species are famous for their incredible ability to climb waterfalls!

• The Hawaiian coral croucher (C. typicus) is an endemic goby.
• The Hawaiian shrimp goby (P. mainlandi) is another unique Hawaiian goby.
• The Divine pygmy goby (E. epiphanes) is also found here.

Groupers: Masters of Disguise

Groupers are large, predatory fish that can change their color and pattern to blend in with their surroundings.

• The Hawaiian black grouper (E. quernus), or Hapuʻupuʻu, is endemic to Hawaii.
• The Hawaiian yellow anthias (O. fuscipinnis) and Sunset basslet (L. aurora) are also unique to the islands.
• The Blue-spotted grouper (C. argus), known as Roi, is an introduced species that has become common.

Hawkfish: Perched Predators

Hawkfish often perch on corals or rocks, waiting to ambush smaller fish or crustaceans.

• The Redbarred hawkfish (C. fasciatus), or Pilikoʻa, is endemic to Hawaii.
• The Arc-eye hawkfish (P. arcatus) and Longnose hawkfish (O. typus) are also found here.

Jacks and Trevallies: Speedy Swimmers

Jacks and trevallies are powerful, fast-swimming fish that often hunt in schools.

• The Whitetongue jack (U. helvola), or Ulua lāuli, is endemic to Hawaii.
• The White trevally (P. dentex), also known as Butaguchi, is another endemic species.
• You can also see the Bigeye scad (Selar crumenophthalmus|S. crumenophthalmus), called Akule, and the Giant trevally (C. ignobilis), or Ulua aukea.

Marlin: Ocean Giants

Marlins are large, fast-swimming fish known for their long, spear-like snouts.

• The Black marlin (M. indica) and Atlantic blue marlin (M. nigricans), both called Aʻu, are found in Hawaiian waters.
• The Striped marlin (T. audax) is also a common sight.

Moray Eels: Hidden Hunters

Moray eels are often found hiding in cracks and caves in the reef, waiting for prey.

• The Brown speckled eel (G. steindachneri), or Puhi, is endemic to Hawaii.
• Other morays include the Giant moray (G. javanicus) and the Snowflake moray (E. nebulosa).

Parrotfish: Reef Sculptors

Parrotfish have beak-like mouths that they use to scrape algae off corals, helping to keep the reef clean and healthy.

• The Regal parrotfish (S. dubius), or Lauia, is endemic to Hawaii.
• The Yellowbar parrotfish (C. zonarchus) is another unique Hawaiian species.
• You can also find the Bullethead parrotfish (C. spilurus) and Ember parrotfish (S. rubroviolaceus).

Pipefish and Seahorses: Unique Shapes

Pipefish and seahorses are related to each other and have very unique body shapes.

• The Ball's pipefish (C. balli) and Edmondson's pipefish (H. edmondsoni) are endemic to Hawaii.
• The Fisher's seahorse (Hippocampus fisheri|H. fisheri) and Redstripe pipefish (D. baldwini) are also unique to the islands.
• The Hawaiian smooth seahorse (Hippocampus kuda|H. kuda) is another species found here.

Pufferfish: Inflating for Defense

Pufferfish can inflate their bodies like a balloon when they feel threatened, making them difficult for predators to eat.

• The Hawaiian whitespotted toby (C. jactator), or Puʻu-olaʻi, is endemic to Hawaii.
• The Randall's puffer (T. randalli) is another endemic pufferfish.
• Other pufferfish include the Ambon toby (C. amboinensis) and Stripebelly puffer (A. hispidus).

Sharks: Apex Predators of the Ocean

Sharks are powerful and important predators in the ocean, helping to keep marine ecosystems balanced.

• The Hawaiian lanternshark (E. villosus) is an endemic shark species.
• The Purple chimaera (H. purpurescens) and Pacific spookfish (R. pacifica) are also unique to Hawaii.
• Many other sharks visit or live in Hawaiian waters, such as the Blue shark (P. glauca), Tiger shark (G. cuvier), and Whale shark (R. typus).

Snappers: Reef and Deep-Sea Fish

Snappers are a diverse group of fish found in various habitats, from coral reefs to deeper ocean waters.

• The Pink snapper (P. filamentosus), or ʻOpakapaka, is a popular food fish in Hawaii.
• The Black tail snapper (L. fulvus), or Toʻau, is also common.
• The Blue striped snapper (L. kasmira), known as Taʻape, is an introduced species.

Sole: Flat and Camouflaged

Soles are flatfish that lie on the seabed, using their camouflage to hide from predators and prey.

• The Boreham's sole (A. borehami), Holcom's sole (A. holcomi), and Therese's sole (A. therese) are all endemic to Hawaii.

Squirrelfish: Nighttime Hunters

Squirrelfish are often red or orange and have large eyes, which help them see in the dim light of dawn, dusk, or at night.

• The Hawaiian squirrelfish (S. xantherythrum), or Alaʻihi, is endemic to Hawaii.
• Other squirrelfish include the Bigscale squirrelfish (M. berndti) and Bluestripe squirrelfish (S. tiere).

Surgeonfish: Reef Grazer with "Scalpels"

Surgeonfish are named for the sharp, scalpel-like spines near their tail, which they use for defense. They mostly eat algae.

• The Yellow-eyed surgeon (C. strigosus), or Kole, is endemic to Hawaii.
• The Achilles tang (A. achilles) and Yellow tang (Z. flavescens), or Lauiʻīpala, are very popular and iconic Hawaiian fish.
• Other surgeonfish include the Convict tang (A. triostegus), or Manini, and the Sailfin tang (Z. veliferum).

Tuna: Fast Ocean Travelers

Tunas are powerful, streamlined fish that travel long distances in the open ocean. They are important for fishing industries.

• The Albacore tuna (T. alalunga) and Bigeye tuna (T. obesus), or Poʻonui, are found in Hawaiian waters.
• The Skipjack tuna (K. pelamis), known as Aku, is also common.
• The Yellowfin tuna (T. albacares), or Ahi, is a very well-known tuna species.

Wrasses: Diverse and Colorful

Wrasses are a very large and diverse family of fish, with many different sizes, shapes, and colors.

• The Belted wrasse (S. balteata) and Black striped wrasse (Coris flavovittata|C. flavovittata), or Hilu, are endemic to Hawaii.
• The Hawaiian cleaner wrasse (L. phthirophagus) is also unique to the islands. It helps other fish by cleaning parasites off them!
• Other endemic wrasses include the Old woman wrasse (T. ballieui) and Ornate wrasse (H. ornatissimus).
• Many other wrasses are found here, like the Bird wrasse (G. varius) and Christmas wrasse (T. trilobatum).

Images for kids

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  A Sailfin tang, a brown fish with five vertical white stripes, a blue spot on the caudal fin, and yellow fins

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  A green Moana kali fish on a light blue background

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  A Yellow-eyed surgeon, a brown and white fish with a bright yellow eye

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  Ocean sunfish

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  An Orangeband surgeonfish, a light grey fish with a dark grey back half, an orange stripe running from just below the eye past the ventral fins, and stopping just before the fish's dorsal fin. This fish has a very heavily lyre-shaped tail

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  An Achilles tang, a black, lyre-tailed fish with an orange spot just before the caudal peduncle, black dorsal and anal fins with an orange stripe marking the boundary between fin and body. The tail is orange and white

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  Dussumier's surgeon, a grey fish with a blue lyre-tail and a white spot on the caudal peduncle.

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  A Blue striped snapper, a neon green fish with four horizontal neon blue stripes running the length of its body

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  A Parrotfish is a large, dark blue fish with a light blue underbelly and a protruding forehead

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  A Cardinal fish, a brown fish with three vertical black stripes, black outlining on the caudal fin and caudal peduncle, and covered in white spots.