Maui Snorkeling Trips

Photos Courtesy Dr. Jack Randall

Often we are asked about the differences between soldierfish and squirrelfish, which prompted this posting.  The first photo above shows a very handsome Tahitian Squirrelfish.  They have beautiful large eyes (perfect for night hunting), large scales, and ‘war paint’ on the face.  The Hawaiian name is `ala ‘îhi.  According to Dr. Randall, there is a sharp venomous spine at the corner of the preopercle.  This fish is, according to the local fishers, an excellent eating fish.  Squirrelfishes enjoy benthic crustaceans and like the soldierfish, are seen resting under ledges and inside caves during the day.  The second picture is also a squirrelfish.  There is another commonly seen squirrelfish that has bright yellow horizontal stripes.

The third photo has a pair of resting soldierfish, which the Hawaiians called `û’û, but the Japanese name of mempachi is more commonly used today.  As their large staring eyes may suggest, these fish are also night feeders of zooplankton; larvae of crabs and other crustaceans.  In the Hawaiian culture some of these fish were considered to be `aumâkua (family god).

It has been the author’s experience that all three species can be very aggressive if being fed, so of course, no fish feeding allowed!  Most snorkelers and divers know the reef etiquette.  Will you see these fish while snorkeling in Hawaii?  Most likely, yes.  Molokini has a nice school and many places off shore has their own populations.  If the snorkeler and SNUBA enthusiast move slowly a great picture can be obtained.

It was a couple of years ago, while diving off Lana`i, this author had the great pleasure of being watched by a very large school of soldierfish.  When I turned on my flashlight they all turned slowly (in sync) to look at me.  When I flicked off the light they resumed their original position.  I have to say I was delighted to try the light several times to make sure it wasn’t my imagination.

Come to Maui, Hawaii and play with your animals.  They’re patiently waiting!!

NOAA Photo Library

These little shrimp (not a true shrimp) are so adorable!  Usually found in pairs, they are known to mate for life.  (humans could follow the example)  The female is easy to identify as her tail is much wider than the male.  They are seen ‘hugging’, cleaning each other’s faces, handing each other food and sharing, and just hanging out.  They are cleaner animals.  That is: they clean parasites, dead tissue, algae, and loose scales from other reef animals.  They are even seen hopping into the open mouths of  moray eels and cleaning the gums and teeth!  Boy, talk about a dangerous job.  Although this animal looks like a shrimp and has the word in its name, it is a decapod.  Their bodies are covered with short spines, which are their defense.  Does anything prey on these little ones?  Yes, amazingly one of their main predators is a true shrimp, which we will talk about in a future post.

Will the average snorkeler or SNUBA enthusiast be able to find these animals?  Absolutely!  They are everywhere busily doing their jobs or just resting.  With their very brilliant color patterns they are easy to spot.  All you need to do is look for the very long antennae and hold still.

Photo Courtesy Katie Grove-Velasquez

The Hawaiian name for this blacktail snapper is to`au.  It was introduced to the Hawaiian waters in 1956 from Moorea, according to Dr. Jack Randall.  I have spoken with many local fishermen who say that, although this fish is not very abundant, it is a great fish for the table.  Other shallow water snappers, like the blue stripe, is often suspect of ciguatera.

The snapper family has large mouths with an oval shaped body and is elongate in form.  All of the family is carnivorous and many feed at night on crabs, shrimp, cephalopods, and fish.  They can also be very aggressive on the reefs if anyone is feeding fish.  I have been bitten by a snapper which was trying to get to floating frozen peas someone was flinging.   While having to go in, a piece missing from my skin, I educated the culprit and took the bag with me.

On an interesting note, if undisturbed, the snapper can be very curious of humans, giving the snorkeler a wonderful opportunity to get the best photo.  Are you planning on a trip to Maui?  For the patient ocean lover, this fish awaits and might even hold still!  See you soon.