Created by Heather Hillard

Overview I.

Biological Monitoring A. B. C.

What Why How A.

D.

REEF

Safety

II. Fish Anatomy and Identification A. B. C.

Fish Anatomy Fish Characteristics Tips for Identification

III. Fish Groups A. B.

Families Sea Turtle

What? • Reef Watch Waikiki – Biological Monitoring efforts • Need baseline studies of fish species and populations • Use the REEF method • Create more intensive surveying

Future monitoring efforts: – – – –

Coral and substrate survey Algae removal Phytoplankton tows Great Annual Fish Count

Why? • Hawaii’s Coral Reef Ecosystems – 400 shallow water reef fish species – 25% are endemic • Important ecological role • Important economic role (food)

Photo by Larry Winnik

• Lack of information on fish species in Waikiki – How many fish (species richness and abundance) are in Māmala Bay? – What are the fish eating? – Are there invasive species?

Excess Nutrients, Runoff

Overfishing

Invasive Algae

Reduce algae eaters

Smothered Corals

Coastal Hardening

Beach Erosion, Sedimentation

Photo by Larry Winnik

Photo by Larry Winnik

Photo by Larry Winnik

Photo from Eric Conklin

Waikiki Protected Areas • MLCD: Marine Life Conservation District Prohibited activities: To fish for, take or injure any marine life (including eggs), or possess in the water any device that may be used for the taking of marine life. To take or alter any sand, coral or other geological feature or specimen, or possess in the water any device that may be used for the taking or altering of a geological feature or specimen.

• FMA: Fisheries Management Area Prohibited activities: To fish for, take or injure any marine life (including eggs), or to possess in the water any fishing gear during the "closed to fishing" period. To use any spear between the hours of 6:00 pm to 6:00 am, or have or possess in the water any trap or net except thrownet or handnet to land hooked fish during the "open to fishing" period.

Survey Site

How? • REEF= Reef Environmental Education Foundation • Roving Survey Method – Free swim anytime, anywhere – Survey begins when you enter the water and ends when you exit the water

• Materials and Equipment – – – – –

Slate and pencil Snorkel, mask, fins Wetsuit or rash guard Survey form Fish ID book

Fish Identification Books

REEF Survey Survey Methods: 1.) Species only

Mystery Fish: – Record markings, size, habitat, color, shape

– Only record positively identified species

2.) Species and Abundance – Relative abundance – Average or estimate for larger schools

Single = 1

Few=2-10

Many=11-100

Abundant>100

Photo by John Johnson

Single = 1

Photo by Larry Winnik

Few=2-10 Photo by Larry Winnik

Many=11-100

Abundant>100 Photo by Larry Winnik

Photo by Larry Winnik

REEF Survey • Register to become a REEF member • Transfer data to online data entry program at www.REEF.org Surveyor Level

# of Surveys Quiz Type

Quiz Score

1: New REEF member

1

2: Beginner

2

Most Common

80%

3: Advanced

25

Common

80%

4: Expert

35

Advanced

90%

5: Expert

50

100 Advanced

95%

Safety  In an emergency – Call

911

 Lifeguards positioned throughout our field sites  Patrolling HPD Officers & Police Sub-station  Look for orange dive buoy and dive flag if you have questions or need help

Fish Characteristics • Size • Shape and Parts – – – –

Body type Fin type Mouth position Eye position

• Color – Markings – Camouflage

Photo by Larry Winnik

Fish Anatomy Dorsal Fin

Caudal Peduncle

Lateral Line

Gill Cover

Caudal Fin

Pectoral Fin Pelvic Fin

Anal Fin

Tips for Identification • What does it look like? • Where was it seen? – Over sand, in coral, near the surface, mid-water column • Example: Hawkfish vs. Needlefish

• How did it swim? – Look at the primary fins the fish uses to swim • Example: Triggerfish

– Body shape may reveal swimming style • Example: Jacks

• Was it alone, in pairs or in a school? • Example: Butterflyfish vs Bluestripe snapper

Body Types Compressed

Hide among tight cracks in reef, very maneuverable

Spherical

Hard to fit in predator’s mouth, usually can gulp air or water

Depressed

Bottom dweller, camouflage in the sand or rubble

Ribbon Snake-like

Hide among cracks in the reef, ambush hunters

Fusiform

Fast strong swimmers, carnivorous

Rod or Elongate

Hide and sneak up on prey, ambush predator

Flattened side-to-side

Round

flattened

Spindle-like

Stick-like

Dorsal Fin

Caudal Fin

Continuous

Rounded

Notched

Lunate

Separate

Forked Truncate Emarginate Lanceolate

Fish Markings and Coloration Stripes

Photo by Keoki Stender

Spot

Photo by John Johnson

Bands

Photo by Larry Winnik

Blotch

Photo by Larry Winnik

Bars

Photo by John Johnson

Ocellated Spot

Photo by Larry Winnik

Mimicry

• Protection

Advertising

• Warning • Recognition Photo by John Johnson

• Transparency Camouflage • Matching • Counter-shading Photo by Larry Winnik

Disruptive

• False eye spot • Bars, stripes, bands Photo by John Johnson

Group 1: Colorful/Oval Shape • • • •

Butterflyfish Angelfish Moorish Idol Surgeonfish/Unicornfish

Butterflyfish • Family: Chaetodontidae • Description – – – –

Compressed and high-bodied Small mouth Eye bar Size: 5-8 in.

• Habitat – Coral reef bottom

• Behavior – Solitary or seen in pairs (mate for life) – Diurnal – Territorial

Milletseed Butterflyfish

Multiband Butterflyfish Chaetodon multicinctus kikakapu

Chaetodon miliaris lau wiliwili

Photo by Larry Winnik

Photo by Larry Winnik

Threadfin Butterflyfish

Ornate Butterflyfish Chaetodon ornatissimus kikakāpu

Chaetodon auriga kikakāpu

Photo by Larry Winnik

Photo by Larry Winnik

Fourspot Butterflyfish Chaetodon quadrimaculatus lauhau

Photo by Larry Winnik

Raccoon Butterflyfish Chaetodon lunula kikakāpu

Photo by Larry Winnik

Forcepsfish

Forcipiger flavissimus Lauwiliwilinukunuku ‘oi‘oi

Longnose Butterflyfish Forcipiger longirostris Lauwiliwilinukunuku ‘oi‘oi

Photo by John Johnson

Angelfish • Family: Pomacanthidae • Description – Small cheek spine – Spade shape – Long rays on dorsal and anal fin – Deep, compressed body – Size: 5 in.

• Habitat – In coral or under ledges

• Behavior – Shy – Seen in pairs or harems

Potter’s Angelfish Centropyge potteri

Moorish Idol • Family: Zanclidae • Description – – – –

Zanclus canescens (cornutus)

Deep, compressed body Pointed snout Long, filamentous spine Size: 8 in.

• Habitat – Shallow water

• Behavior – Pairs or small schools

Photo by Larry Winnik

Surgeonfish, Tangs, Unicornfish • Family: Acanthuridae • Description – Sharp spine on caudal peduncle=SCALPEL – Surgeonfish have one spine – Unicornfish have 2 spines – Continuous dorsal fin – Size: 7-10 in.

• Behavior – Reef grazers Photo by Jeff Kuwabara

Orangeband Surgeonfish

Goldring Surgeonfish

Acanthurus olivaceus na‘ena‘e

Ctenochaetus strigosus kole Photo by Larry Winnik

Photoby byJohn Larry Johnson Winnik Photo

Brown Surgeonfish

Photo by Larry Winnik

Photo by John Johnson

Yellow Tang

Acanthurus nigrofuscus mā‘i‘i‘i

Zebrasoma flavescens lau‘ipala Photo by Keoki Stender

Photo by Jeff Kuwabara

Convict Tang

Acanthurus triostegus manini

Photo by Larry Winnik

Orange Spine Unicornfish Naso lituratus umauma lei

Blue Spine Unicornfish Naso unicornis kala

Photo by Larry Winnik

Photo by Larry Winnik

Size: 18 in.

Size: 27 in.

BREAK !!! • REEF Field Stations: • Useful Websites: – – – –

www.marinelifephotography.com www.REEF.org www.hawaiisfishes.com www.coralreefnetwork.com

Wild Side Specialty Tours 87-1286 Farrington Hwy. Waianae, HI, United States (808) 306 7273 www.sailhawaii.com Living Art Marine Center 3239 Ualena Street, #100 Honolulu, HI, United States (808) 841 8080 www.hawaiiansealife.com FIN O`ahu 2542 Date St. #301 Honolulu, HI, United States (808) 944 6081

Group 2: Silvery • Chub • Jack

Sea Chub (Rudderfish) • Family: Kyphosidae • Description – – – –

Continuous dorsal fin Deep body Small mouth Size: 14-20 in.

• Habitat – Shallow rocky bottom or coral reefs near shore

• Behavior – Groups, schools

Pacific (Gray) Chub Kyphosus bigibbus nenue

Photo by Larry Winnik

Jacks • Family: Carangidae • Description – Streamlined – Slender caudal peduncle with scutes – Forked or lunate tail – Size: about 3 ft.

• Habitat – Open water

• Behavior – Fast, strong swimmers

Bluefin Trevally Caranx melampygus ‘ōmilu

Photo by John Johnson

Photo by Larry Winnik

Group 3: Snappers and Emperors • Snapper • Emperor

Snapper • Family: Lutjanidae • Description – Somewhat elongate body – Continuous dorsal fin (notched) – Size: 13-15 in.

• Behavior – Carnivorous – Daytime schooler – Nocturnal hunter

Bluestripe Snapper

Blacktail Snapper

Lutjanus kasmira ta‘ape

Lutjanus fulvus to’au

Photo by Larry Winnik

Photo by John Johnson

Emperor • Family: Lethrinidae • Description – – – –

Continuous dorsal fin Blunt head Big eye and bars Size: 2 ft.

• Habitat – Midwater – Edge of reef

• Behavior – Carnivorous, eats shelled invertebrates Photo by John Johnson

Bigeye Emperor

Grandoculis monotaxis mu

Photos by John Johnson

Group 4: Small Ovals • Chromis • Damselfish

Damselfish • Family: Pomacentridae • Description – Small mouth – Small, oval shape

• Habitat – Shallow water – Coral reef and rocky substrate

• Behavior – Aggressive/territorial – Noisy chirpers

1.) Chromis -plankton picker 2.) Damselfish -algae eater

Chocolate-Dip Chromis

Blackfin Chromis

Chromis hanui

Chromis vanderbilti Size: 3 1/2 in.

Photo by John Johnson

Size: 2 3/4 in.

Photo by John Johnson

Hawaiian Sergeant Abudefduf abdominalis mamo

Blue-eye Damselfish Size: 10 in.

Size: 4 1/2 in.

Hawaiian Dascyllus

Hawaiian (Pacific) Gregory Stegastes marginatus

Plectroglyphidodon johnstonianus

Size: 6 in.

Dascyllus albisella ‘alo‘ilo‘o

Size: 2.5 in.

Photo by John Johnson Photo by John Johnson

Group 5: Groupers and Anthias • Groupers • Anthias

Sea Bass/Grouper • Family: Serranidae • Description – Robust – Large mouth with projecting lower jaw – Size: 16 in.

• Habitat – Bottom – Coral heads

• Behavior – Shy

Peacock Grouper Cephalopholis argus

Photo by Larry Winnik

Group 6: Wrasses/Parrotfish • Wrasses • Parrotfish

Wrasse • Family: Labridae • Description – Thick lips – Continuous dorsal fin – Bright, complex coloring

• Habitat – Coral reef, rock

• Behavior – Diurnal – Carnivorous – Swim with pectoral fins

Bird Wrasse

Gomphosus varius hīnālea ‘i‘iwi (supermale), hīnālea ‘akilolo (initial phase)

Initial

Size: 10 in.

Photos by Larry Winnik

Belted Wrasse Stehojulis balteata ‘ōmaka Size: 6 in.

Male

Female

Hawaiian Hogfish Bodianus albotaeniatus ‘a‘awa

Female

Male

Size: 20 in.

Yellow Tail Coris Coris gaimard hīnālea ‘akilolo

Adult

Size: 15 in.

Photo by Larry Winnik Photos by Larry Winnik

Juvenile

Ornate Wrasse

Halichoeres ornatissimus ohua

Saddle Wrasse Size: 6 in.

Size: 10 in.

Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse

Eightstripe Wrasse Pseudocheilinus octotaenia

Thalassoma duperrey Hinālea lauwili

Size: 5 in.

Labroides phthirophagus

Size: 4 in.

Photo by John Johnson

Parrotfish • Family: Scaridae • Description – Fused teeth into a beak – Brightly colored – Large scales

• Behavior – Scrape algae off of rocks and eat live coral – Swim with pectoral fins

Bullethead Parrotfish Chlorurus spilurus uhu

Palenose Parrotfish Scarus psittacus uhu

Size: 15 in.

Male

Female

Photo by Larry Winnik

Size: 12 in.

Male

Female

Group 7: Red with Large Eyes • Squirrelfish • Soldierfish • Cardinalfish

Squirrelfish and Soldierfish • Family: Holocentridae • Description – – – –

Reddish Large eyes Black bar near gill cover Size: 10-12 in.

1.) Squirrelfish -long sharp spine -sharper snout

• Behavior and Habitat – Rest near overhangs, ledges, caves and other dark areas

2.) Soldierfish -no spine -blunt snout -deeper

Spotfin Squirrelfish Neoniphon sammara ‘ala‘ihi

Bigscale Soldierfish Myripristis berndti ‘ū‘ū

Cardinalfish • Family: Apogonidae • Description – – – –

2 separate dorsal fins Large eyes and mouth Reddish Size: 6 in.

• Habitat – Dark caves and holes

• Behavior – Nocturnal

Iridescent Cardinalfish Apogon kallopterus ‘upāpalu

Photo by Larry Winnik

QUIZ TIME!

Group 8: Elongated Bottom Dwellers • Blenny

Blenny • Family: Blenniidae • Description – – – –

Small, agile Blunt head and cirri 1 dorsal fin Size: 4-7 in.

• Habitat

– Inshore on rock – Holes in the reef

• Behavior

– Curves body and perches up

Scarface Blenny Cirripectes vanderbilti

Group 9: Odd Shaped Bottom Dwellers • Hawkfish

Hawkfish • Family: Cirrhitidae • Description – Large pectoral fins – Tips of dorsal spines have tassels – Size: 4 ½ - 5 in.

• Habitat – Reef, coral or rock

• Behavior – Sit and perch

Photo by John Johnson

Blackside Hawkfish Paracirrhites forsteri hilu piliko‘a

Photo by Larry Winnik

Arc-eye Hawkfish Paracirrhites arcatus piliko‘a

Photo by John Johnson

Group 10: Odd Shaped Swimmers • • • • • • •

Triggerfish Filefish Boxfish Pufferfish Goatfish Trumpetfish Cornetfish

Triggerfish • Family: Balistidae • Description – 3 dorsal spines behind the eye – Independently moveable eyes – Geometric pattern – Size: 8-13 in.

• Behavior – Wary, territorial

Reef Triggerfish

Rhinecanthus rectangulus Humuhumu-nukunuku-apua‘a

Photo by John Johnson

Lei Triggerfish Sufflamen bursa

Pinktail Durgon Melichthys vidua

Photo by Larry Winnik

Photo by Larry Winnik

Black Durgon

Melichthys niger humuhumu ‘ele‘ele

Photo by Larry Winnik

Photo by John Johnson

Filefish • Family: Monacanthidae • Description – No pelvic fin – 1-2 dorsal spines – Narrow body and small mouth

• Behavior – Swim backward and forward – Undulate dorsal and anal fin

Barred Filefish

Cantherhines dumerilii ‘o‘ili

Photo by John Johnson

Size: 15 in.

Boxfish • Family: Ostraciidae • Description

– No pelvic fin or spinuous dorsal – Triangle/square shape and flat bottom – Rigid, hard structure – Size: 6 in.

• Habitat

– Coral reef

• Behavior

– Solitary unless courting

Spotted Boxfish Ostracion meleagris moa

Photos by Larry Winnik

Female

Male

Pufferfish • Family: Tetraodontidae • Description – Round body – 1-2 nostrils – No spines

• Behavior – Solitary – Inflate themselves with water

Spotted Puffer Arothron meleagris o‘opue hue

Photo by Larry Winnik

Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby Canthigaster jactator Size: 13 in.

Size: 3 ½ in.

Photo by Larry Winnik

Goatfish • Family: Mullidae • Description – Pair of long BARBLES – Moderately elongate body – 2 separate dorsal fins – Size: 11-20 in.

• Behavior – Dig in the sand with snout – Large schools

Manybar Goatfish

Parupeneus multifasciatus

Photo by Larry Winnik

Yellowstripe Goatfish

Yellowfin Goatfish

Mulloidichthys flavolineatus

Mulloidichthys vanicolensis

Photo by Larry Winnik

Photo by Larry Winnik

Trumpetfish • Family: Aulostomidae • Description – – – – –

Tubular snout Long body Lobate caudal fin Dorsal spines Size: 27 in.

• Habitat – Water column

• Behavior – Swim or hang at an angle – Piscivore

Trumpetfish

Aulostomus chinensis nunu

Cornetfish • Family: Fistulariidae • Description – – – –

Tubular snout Forked caudal fin Long caudal filament Size: 4 ½ ft.

• Habitat – Bottom

• Behavior – Swim by undulating posterior part of body

Cornetfish Fistularia commersonii

Photo by John Johnson

Group 11: Eels • Moray Eel

Eels • Family: Muraenidae • Description – Continuous fin – Leathery skin – Pointed teeth

• Habitat – Holes and under large rocks

• Behavior – Hide during the day and active during the night

Whitemouth Eel

Gymnothorax meleagris puhi ‘oni‘o

Photo by Larry Winnik

Yellowmargin Eel

Gymnothorax flavimarginatus puhi paka

Photo by Larry Winnik

Group 12: Sharks and Rays

Sharks and Rays • Family: Carcharhinidae • Description – Requiem sharks – Skeleton made of cartilage – Size: 6 ft. +

• Habitat – Coral reefs, coastal

• Behavior – Rest under ledges or in caves

Whitetip Reef Shark Triaenodon obesus mano lalakea

Photo by Jeff Kuwabara

Group 13: Sea Turtle/Honu

Green Sea Turtle • Family: Chelonidae • Description – Reptile – Two prefrontal scales

• Behavior – Feed on algae along the shore – Rest on the reef – Bask on the beach

Green sea turtle with tumors Fibropapilloma

Green Sea Turtle Chelonia mydas honu

Photo by John Johnson

Photo by Lacey Price/Marine Photobank

Questions?

Photo by Larry Winnik