Top 5 Rare Tropical Fish to See in Hawaii

There are several reasons why snorkeling in Hawaii is so popular: the abundant marine life, crystal-clear water, and stunning coral reefs. Another reason is that you may even get the chance to see fish that are only found here in Hawaii! Here’s a list of the Top 5 rare tropical fish to be on the lookout for while snorkeling here:

Masked Angelfish (Genicanthus personatus)

The Masked Angelfish has a striking appearance with a predominantly yellow body and a black mask-like pattern covering its eyes and face. It also has blue markings on its fins and tail.

Flame Hawkfish (Neocirrhites armatus)

The Flame Hawkfish has a vibrant red body with black markings and a white belly. It has large, expressive eyes and a unique dorsal fin that resembles a flame, giving it its name. Flame Hawkfish are known for their perching behavior, often perching on rocks or corals and observing their surroundings.

Hawaiian Saddle Wrasse (Thalassoma duperrey)

The Hawaiian Saddle Wrasse has a striking appearance with a greenish body and a distinct saddle-shaped marking on its back, which gives it its name. It also has blue lines on its face and fins.

Hawaiian White Spotted Toby (Canthigaster jactator)

This species has very big white spots. Its body color is brownish, often even purple.

Hawaiian Pygmy Angelfish (Centropyge potteri)

The only truly common angelfish species in Hawai`i, Potter’s Angel is rusty orange overall with many irregular, vertical gray-blue lines. The orange darkens to bluish black on much of the lower side and this dark area is larger in males than in females.

You have a great chance of catching a glimpse of these fish on a snorkel trip with Captain Zodiac to Kealakekua Bay.  A historical marine sanctuary and home to a variety of tropical fish and coral reefs. Be sure to bring your waterproof camera and be on the lookout- you never know what you’ll see!

What makes these fish rare?

There are several reasons why these tropical fish may be considered rare:

Endemism Some of these fish species are endemic to Hawaii, meaning they are found only in that specific region. Limited distribution can make them rare compared to more widely distributed species.

Habitat Loss Destruction of coral reefs, pollution, and other factors can lead to loss of habitat for these fish, making them harder to find in the wild.

Overfishing Some of these fish may be targeted by collectors for the aquarium trade, leading to population declines and rarity in the wild.

Climate Change Rising ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, and other effects of climate change can impact the habitats and food sources of these fish, potentially making them more vulnerable and rare.

Natural Predation Predators, disease, and other natural factors can also contribute to the rarity of these fish species in Hawaii.