2>71 NATURAL HISTORY OF HAWAII. 



eonsiiis. are mostly small hiyli-eolored fish and are peculiar in the development 

 of small spines almost everywhere over the surface of the body. The name 

 refers to the noise they make when taken out of the water, which suggests the 

 bai'k of the squirrel. Tlie stripes on some species also add to their squirrel- 

 like appearance. 



The Surgeon-Fishes. 



The surgeon-fishes or tangs •"'- are herbivorous inhabitants of the tropical 

 seas, notably abundant about the coral reefs and in the tide pools along the 

 shore. They undergo great changes with age, the young often having been 

 described as distinct genera. Hawaii has five genera and perhaps a dozen 

 and a half species of these interesting fishes. They are mostly dark in color, 

 with some vivid color added, and all have an armament developed on the side 

 of the tail. In some genera this armament consists of a movable spine set witli 

 the point turned forward which can be dropped down into a sheath-like groove. 

 In other genera one or two sharp knife-like plates are rigidly attached to the 

 side of the tail. It is from these spines that the fishes derive their common 

 names, surgeoii-tish, doctor-fish, or lance-fish, and thev form verv effective 

 weapons against their enemies, be they fish or man. 



The pa kuikui •''" is common about Honolulu, and may lie recognized by its 

 brown color, which is relieved by an orange patcli about the murderous spine 

 on the side of the tail. The nae-nae ''^ is olivaceous and has a liright spot on 

 the shoulder. The pualn •"'"' is a common species in the Ilonolnlu market. It is 

 brown in color and has four or five golden longitudin.il bands on the dorsal 

 fin and four similar ones on the anal. The most alnmdant member of the 

 extensive genus, howevci". is the delicious panfish known to everyone as 

 manini.*''^ They are almost daily offered for sale in the markets; their dull 

 olive-gray bodies crossed by five narrow vertical lines renders their identity 

 easy and certain. They are seldom more than seven or eight inches in length, 

 but their small size is more than made up for by their delicate flavor when 

 fried. They are fearless shore fishes, usually to be seen in pools in small 

 schools. The young are often trapped in holes in the rocks along shore as the 

 tide recedes, "vvhere they swim about without alarm, patiently awaiting the 

 return to the sea. They are hardy and thrive in the Aquarium, where their 

 stripes have won for them the popular name of convict-fish. 



The kala."''' or unicorn-fish, is an alnindant member of the family. In addi- 

 tion to the two large pale blue, blunt, immovable spines on the tail, placed one 

 in front of the other, it has as a special distinctive mai'k a long horn growing 

 forward from the o'anium ai)ove the eyes. 



The Goat-Fish. 



The surmullets, or goat-fish"''^, are shore fishes of moderate size and 

 possess the notable features of two long unbranched barbules of firm sub- 



'•- Acaiithui-idfe. ^'^ He pat 11.1 arliilli'X. ^* Hepntiis nlivari'ii.i. ^^ Hcpatiig i/initlii'ri. 



^^ Hejiatus Sfindvicensi.s. ^' AcaiitliiirKS uiticorids. ^^ MuIHiUc. 



