HONILIMA

photo by Mila Zinkova taken in Kona

The Moorish Idol, Zanclus cornutus, called Kinikihi in Hawaiian, stands out in contrasting bands of black, white and yellow. They have relatively small fins so they prefer shallow reef waters and lagoons. Like the butterfly fishes, Moorish Idols mate for life. They often school as juveniles. Adult males tend to be aggressive toward one another.

They grow up to eight inches in length and are not long lived in captivity although they are popular aquarium fish.

The Moors in Africa believe them to be fish of happiness and with their colorful bodies and graceful patterns you can see why they bring a smile.

This commonly seen fish prefers calm waters and lives in shallow areas and sandy spots. It is sometimes called a Picasso Triggerfish because of the yellow line that extends from it’s mouth giving it the look of an abstract piece of artwork. Perhaps more abstract to most and more challenging to spell than Mississippi is the Hawaiian name for this fish: humu­humu­nuku­nuku­āpua`a

Learning to spell the name of this fish will certainly win the hearts of islanders and before you get any bright ideas it is too many letters for Scrabble.

Pāpa`i Thalamita crenata known as the Blue Pincher Crab is indigenous to the Pacific Islands and unlike most swimming crabs is most active in the daytime.

They are gray to greenish brown with a white tipped claws and a broad back band. Their bodies are sometimes pink and the upper part of their claws are blue. They grow to a width of approximately five inches. The live in brackish muddy areas and sandy areas of salt water. They dine on limu, small pieces of plant and animal matter, snails, and mangrove detritus.

More commonly referred to as Hawaiian Bigeye, this native fish is laterally compressed and averages 10-12 inches long. Found at depths of 20-100 feet most commonly in caves in the day time and feeding up in the water column at night.

It feeds on zooplankton such as larval fish, crabs, and other crustacean larvae.

The Snowflake Moray, Echidna nebulosa known as Puhi Kapa in Hawaiian, is a tough eel to spot in that it blends in so well with its surroundings.

This small moray gets to lengths of 36 inches in the wild and swims more often in the open during the day than other eels.

It is a carnivore accustomed to eating krill, shrimp, silversides and octopus. Watch carefully when you are snorkeling and you may spot on of these nestled beneath a rock or near sandy surroundings.