20150428 Hawaii Vacation- Waikiki Snorkel

Two weeks ago I revisited my dream destination- Hawaii. And once again we decided to only stay in Oahu as we have not enough time to explore all we wanted to see in our previous visit. But we did recall the wonderful snorkeling experience so we have specifically carved out time to snorkel in various coast lines this time.

The beautify, relaxing white sand of the Waikiki beach at Honolulu, Hawaii

First and foremost we went to the most accessible- Waikiki. It is amazing that with all the tourists, surfing, kids playing, and motorized boats in the near vicinity the Waikiki reef ecosystem remained in a very strong state. The amount and variety of fish in the near shore reef actually had significant increase since our last visit 9 months ago. We were able to see most of all the common species of tangs and wrasse along with a few that would have only appeared in the deeper water previously, but now are also living among the shallow reef. I used only an iPhone 5S with an otter case to shoot these underwater photos.

A goatfish and a two spot surgeonfish patrolling the shallow reef of Waikiki

Really healthy reef system with active growing sps coral such as this porcillapora colony here near shore Waikiki

Moorish idol feeding among the coral reef. Interesting observation: I visited the same area a few days in a row and found that the same group of moorish idol stays within a specific area, no larger than 1000 square feet and feeds only in that area.

Beautiful spotted box fish along the reef edge in Waikiki

A semi adult nano tang, what a magnificent creature and graceful swimmer in the wild.

Water clarity wasn't the best as the waves were quite high that day sweeping up lots of dust from the bottom. 

7 Saltwater fishes you should never get part 5

The next fish on my list of "not to keep at home" is the Moorish Idol, featured in Disney hit film "Finding Nemo" (Which by the way the word Nemo drove me crazy while I was working in the aquarium)

Moorish Idol

One of the worst thing about pop culture is to introduce a false image about certain practices. Keeping percula clown fish and/or the Pacific blue tang are usually not very challenging for average reefers. However, even some of the most experienced reef hobbyists have trouble keeping the elegant Moorish Idol alive in captivity.

Because of its need of swimming room and it's diet needs, not only you will need to have an extra large system for this fish to move around, you will also need to "teach" them to accept food in captivity. I have made attempts while working in the store to no success. And for a creature of this beauty to perish is not only a heart breaker, but a shame.

Banner butterfly fish

If you want something that possess the similar elegance as the Moorish Idol while swimming without the difficulty in keeping, the schooling banner butterfly fish is a great substitute. They are not only easier to keep (I have personal experience in seeing them eat like hogs), hardy, but also very robust in the home aquarium. So please spread the word and educate everyone you know to not follow the example of a children's movie and attempt to keep the Moorish Idol in a small system as shown in the movie.

bannerfish schooling