They are a number of goatfish native to Hawaii, about ten in all, and they are given different names. For example, if the goatfish has lateral stripes instead of bands, it is referred to as weke. Other goatfish include kumu and munu. Goatfish eggs are buoyant, floating to the ocean surface, drifting about, and becoming part of the plankton. After hatching, the little guys grow to around 5 cm, about the full length of your thumb, before joining the adult benthic feeders.
Moana. Photo: FlorentCharpin, reefguide.org
Moana to Hawaiians, Parupeneus multifasciatus to ichthyologists, Manybar Goatfish to the the casual snorkeler, this "many banded" member of the Mullidae family is a surprisingly interesting and versatile fellow. The distinguishing "whiskers" aren't hairs at all, but specialized sensory organs called barbels, that allow moana to feel out and taste prey in the shallows where they prefers to hang, snuffling up such delicacies as shrimp, crabs, mollusks, and worms. They have two dorsal fins and a forked tail, and their color can range from a dusky grey/brown to red. In fact, all goatfish have the chameleon-like ability to change color, depending on what it is they are doing.
They are a number of goatfish native to Hawaii, about ten in all, and they are given different names. For example, if the goatfish has lateral stripes instead of bands, it is referred to as weke. Other goatfish include kumu and munu. Goatfish eggs are buoyant, floating to the ocean surface, drifting about, and becoming part of the plankton. After hatching, the little guys grow to around 5 cm, about the full length of your thumb, before joining the adult benthic feeders.
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