Maui Snorkeling Trips

Ember Parrotfish, Photo Courtesy Dr. Jack Randall                               

Regal Parrotfish Females, Photo Courtesy Dr. Jack Randall

Parrotfish are an amazing group of animals so named for their beak-like dentition and colorful bodies.  Also very interesting to this author is the fact that they have a series of molariform teeth on the upper and lower bony plates at the back of the throat, upper convex and lower concave, enabling them to easily crunch up whatever they choose to eat.  They do not have a true stomach and for a fish, have an extremely long intestine.  It is also believed that these colorful fish evolved from the wrasse family, one we will talk about in an upcoming post.

Like the wrasses, juveniles are often really different from adults, and there are also different color patterns indicating sex.  Most species will undergo a sex reversal from female to male, changing color from the drab (called initial phase), like the pair of Regal in the picture, to the more gaudy colorful males (called terminal phase).  Some species are both female and male in the initial phase.  Spawning when in this phase will have male dominated aggregations.  Sexual territories will be established by terminal males with a harem of females being maintained!  (Who knew?)  They will court and spawn with individual females.  (Sounds almost like some human behaviors.)

So, what’s for lunch?  Many parrotfishes graze on algae from rock surfaces.  If the surface is dead coral, they are scraping into the limestone.  Others take algae growing on sand surfaces, ingesting the sand as well, and according to researchers, some of the larger species feed on live coral, leaving the well-known scraping marks characteristic of their amazing dentition.  The algae, along with rock tidbits, coral, and sand, is digested.  In this process the limestone fragments are ground into sand and the sand they eat is ground into even finer sand.  Parrotfishes are the major producers of sand in the coral reefs!  It is said by some researchers that an individual is capable of processing up to ONE TON of sand per year!  WOW!

So, for the average snorkeler, if you hold still, watch and listen, you will hear the sound of frying bacon.  Part of that is the busy parrotfish grazing on their breakfast, or lunch.  They do not eat dinner.  According to researchers, parrotfish will back into a reef after sunset, secrete a mucous bubble mass of protection and rest until sunrise.  After sunrise they will eat the ‘front door’ and emerge, ready for a new day.  As with all the other creatures of the islands, the Hawaiians did have a name for each species, although many names have been lost over time.  The general name for this colorful animal of the reef is uhu. 

Planning a trip our way?  The blue waters of the Pacific await you.  Grab a mask, fins, and get yourself out there to watch the hardworking parrotfish produce part of our islands beaches.  What an amazing place, our planet Earth!

Photo Courtesy Dr. Jack Randall, Fishbase.org

 According to the experts, the moray eel family is one of 15 true eel families.  Often we are asked about sea snakes existing in Hawaii.  There are no resident sea snakes, but eels are plentiful and a very amazing animal to observe.  They have a very elongate body with no pelvic fins, pectoral fins, and no scales.  They also have a very large mouth with impressive looking teeth.  Some teeth are flat, molariform, some are fang-like and extremely sharp.  The species with canine type teeth, according to the experts, feed on mainly reef fish and octopus.  Those with flatter teeth are crushers, preferring crabs, lobsters and other crustaceans.  Another interesting tidbit is that they can, and have been, tamed by divers, who will feed them hoping the animal will allow itself to be petted for the photo opportunity.  Probably not the wisest move as divers have been bitten and their teeth have many bacteria, which could be very dangerous.  The Whitemargin Moray may secrete a venom when it bites, but even more amazing to this author is the Yellowmouth Moray, who secretes a skin toxin!  Nature continues to fascinate!!

Morays have varied color patterns depending on the individual.  The one in the photo above is called Zebra Moray, and they are very common.  Since their eyesight is not stellar, they peer our of their homes cautiously, awaiting the opportunity to grab a meal.  With 38 known species of morays in Hawaii, snorkelers, divers, and water enthusiasts could very well find one, but remember to keep your distance.  This author had an interesting experience diving once.  We had slowly traveled up a peninsula filled with life and peered into different areas hoping to find a good photographic subject.  After our ascent we slowly traveled down the backside, some traveling backwards but I did not.  There was a little surge and the current pushed me nearly touching the rocks.  A moray bolted out of his hiding place and nearly touched my tank.  My son grabbed my hand and pulled me just out of reach.  Once the eel felt it was no longer threatened, it slowly went back down.  That was a wonderful experience I will not forget.

Another really interesting researcher’s fact is that many morays are hermaphroditic.  That is, they start mature life as males and later change sex to females.  According to research, a few are synchronous hermaphrodites (male & female at the same time).  Boy, that would certainly take the decision making to a higher level!

Coming to Hawaii?  Fear snakes?  No worries!  The graceful and colorful eels (called puhi, in Hawaiian) can really add to your experience in the water.  Let’s get wet!!

Photo Courtesy R. Field, Fishbase

The beautiful spotted eagle ray is an amazing animal to see cruising through the reefs.  Snorkelers and divers alike may find themselves entranced by the sight of this relative to the shark.  Called Hihimanu in Hawaiian, translated it means magnificent, elegant, or elegance, which says it all.  These shy creatures can be seen just off shore anywhere around the islands and have been also glimpsed in Molokini.  Although divers and SNUBA enthusiasts may have a better chance of seeing the eagle ray, snorkelers have been blessed in such places as Ulua, Big Beach, Black Rock, Sugar Beach, and Kamaole III, just to name a few.  We do have a world class aquarium on Maui, which is home to a 10+ year old female eagle ray who delights children and adults with her laid-back friendly style.

Eagle rays love to eat crab, worms, shrimp and octopus.  They have fused tooth plates that are in a chevron shape.  Like their cousin, the shark, they shed their tooth plates several times per year.  But unlike sharks, who lose teeth one at a time, the eagle ray loses the entire plate (like dentures).  Their plates are constantly growing, so they are never without.  Since they crush their food, the tooth plates can become very worn.

The spotted eagle ray does have venomous spines at the base of their body.  Depending on the animal, there can be from 4-7 spines equipped with a neurotoxin.  If a predator grabs the ray by the base of the body, it may get a spine broken off in their mouths.  Hammerheads will prey on sting rays and these sharks have been found to have multiple barbs embedded in their skin around their mouths, but they survive the neurotoxin, a very interesting fact.  The eagle ray can grow to have a 9 foot wingspan, although there have been reports of larger rays with an 11 foot wingspan, those reports have not been documented.  They are live bearers of 1 to 3 pups, which are dropped quickly and swim away, totally on their own.  Eagle rays have also been known to leap completely out of the water, surprising even the most seasoned boat captain.

When visiting the islands, do plan on getting wet.  Our planet is about 70% water and the Pacific Ocean is full of many wondrous animals.  Getting in the water, or on it, is a must for any visitor.