20140803 Waikiki Aquarium- Hawaiian Island Fish

The next exhibition after the show piece clams is the local species from the Hawaiian Islands tank. This tank also features natural sunlight with corals- the corals aren't as abundant, large, and colorful as the South Pacific display, but the fish in the tank is no less vibrant than that of the previous tank.

 In the photo above you can spot some of the more common fish in the N.American aquarium trade such as banner fish, anthias, cleaner wrass (should not be sold to individual owners), convict tangs, etc. But also many rare, expensive species- the masked angel, the Yellow pyramid butterflyfish, and the super expensive Bandit Angelfish (click on the link to see how much you should expect it to be)

 In this trip, the one fish that captured my attention is the blue line tang. To be honest, no responsible aquarium retail store should sell this fish to an average hobbyist. Because they can grow to an enormous size, as I have witnessed while snorkeling. But their beauty is truly unrivaled. This is the one fish I will not keep in my tank, but hoping to someday surround myself with when I move out to Hawaii.

Another look at the $1000 fish- the bandit angel.

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