Tag Archives: Hawkfish

What’s going on down there?

Turbulence in the waters off Hawaii — Got to be careful in the surge zone. Don’t want to get raked over those rocks.

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Water.’ See more responses here. Let’s see what’s happening below the surface. Here are some photos from my swim yesterday. Captions are on the photos.

Yellowfin Goatfishes in the waters off Hawaii — Yellowfin Goatfishes are active at night and spend the day drifting in groups like this.

An Arc-eye Hawkfish juvenile in a head of coral in the waters off Hawaii — Yellowfin Goatfishes are active at night and spend the day drifting in groups like this.

A Yellowhead Moray Eel in the waters off Hawaii — Yellowhead Moray Eels are active at night so I rarely see them.

A Wedgetail Triggerfish in the waters off Hawaii — Yellowhead Moray Eels are active at night so I rarely see them.

Blackside Hawkfish

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Blackside Hawkfishes, like others of its kin, are predators that hang out waiting for prey to pass by. I have often seen the waiting part, but never seen one go after anything.

Also, according to my fish book, ‘Hawkfishes live in haremic social groups consisting of a male and several females. When the male dies, the dominant female changes sex and takes his place.’ Which begs the question, when is Trump going to do something about these kinds of scandalous activities?

Pacific Day Octopus and Arc-Eye Hawkfish

I spotted this small Pacific Day Octopus on the move and it quickly headed for a spot to settle down. The place it chose was just below a head of coral, which was occupied by an Arc-Eye Hawkfish. The hawkfish didn’t move, but didn’t look happy with its new neighbor.

Saddle Wrasse

A cheerful-looking Saddle Wrasse swims over a patch of coral. One side of the coral head has long since died, but the other looks quite healthy and hosts an Arc-eye Hawkfish.

Stocky Hawkfish

Stocky Hawkfish markings appear symmetrical, but aren’t quite. However, they do an excellent job of helping the fish to blend in as it waits, motionless, to snag passing prey. This fish was more patient than most. There was a swell running and it kept swishing me back and forth in front of the stoic fish, which was sheltered from the waves, and also wedged in with its pectoral fins.

Posted for Becky’s Squares: Geometric. See more responses here.

Getting down with brown

A House Sparrow drinking in Hawaii — A House Sparrow takes a drink.

This month’s Sunday Stills color challenge is ‘Auburn or Brown.’ See more responses here. Captions on the photos.

The aftermath of a flood in Hawaii — The aftermath of floods in Kawaihae earlier this year.

The exterior of a rusty water valve in Hawaii — The aftermath of floods in Kawaihae earlier this year.

A huge puddle on a dirt road in Hawaii — Drive with care! A dirt road on the Kohala coast after rain.

Arc-eye Hawkfishes on a coral head in Hawaii — Drive with care! A dirt road on the Kohala coast after rain.

Light show

A Stocky Hawkfish waits in a crack with a Rock-Boring Urchin, as shifting light plays across the water.

Spotted Coral Blenny and Stocky Hawkfish

These are a couple of fish that spend a good deal of their time sitting, stationary, on coral or rocks. The similarity ends there.

The hawkfish is a predator, waiting for small fish or crustaceans to come within range. The blenny feeds solely on living coral. And while this blenny is probably an adult at about 6 inches long, the hawkfish can grow to twice that size.

Graham's Island

Life on the Big Island of Hawaii