Arceye Hawkfish
The unusual feature about Hawkfish is they don't have a swim bladder. They sink to the bottom when they stop swimming. Often they sit perched high on coral looking out and down (like a hawk.)
Speckled Scorpionfish
Another fish that uses the coral to hide in. Very hard
to see and harder to photograph.
Juvenile Blacktail Wrasse
Often the juvenile color phase of the wrasse is so different from the adult you wouldn't know they are the same species. In this species the adult really does have a black tail and the body is almost white.
Male Psychedelic Wrasse
These wrasse are endemic to Hawaii (found only here). This one had a "harem" of about 6 females. The females don't have a colorful face. Underwater the males have to attract the females. I guess it pays off if you get 6 at once.
Manta Ray
What can I say, mantas are so incredibly graceful. Some of the largest fish in the sea eat the smallest stuff in the sea: plankton. Manta Rays have huge mouths which they constantly flood with water filtering out their tiny food.
Hawaiian Green Seaturtles
Another amazing animal: they are reptiles and air breathing. They have to surface to breath and can hold their breath for hours. They eat green algae but also love sea jellies.
Porcupinefish
This was one of the biggest Porcupinefish we had ever seen (about 3 feet long).
Christmas Tree Worms
These worms come in many colors and dot the reef trying to filter tiny plankton from the water. They disappear downward into their hole when sensing the slightest change in light or pressure.
I don't really know the name of this sponge but it is such a beautiful picture.
Fantail Filefish and Hawaiian Dascyllus
Both of these are endemic fish. The Fantail is extremely shy and darts into the coral as soon as it feels threatened. The Dascyllus hover just above the coral and move down inside when feeling threatened. Fortunately the antler coral they hide in allows us to see inside.
