Masked Angelfish Spotted During Hawaiian Reef Survey

November 29, 2024 Jeremy Gay 0 Comments Genicanthus personatus, Hawaii, Masked Angelfish, National Coral Reef Monitoring Program, NOAA

NOAA has been on a 3-month mission to assess coral reef health and ocean conditions in Hawaii as part of the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program. During their mission, scientists conducted 350 reef fish surveys, deployed more than 250 instruments, and collected photos for benthic surveys at more than 400 sites.

Scientists created a photo gallery to document their journey surveying the coral reefs of Hawaii, and included a picture of the rare, (endemic,) Masked angelfish, Genicanthus personatus.

“During underwater surveys, scientists were especially thrilled to see some rare species, such as the masked angelfish (at Hōlanikū and Manawai, two atolls in Papahānaumokuākea. This fish is only found in the Hawaiian Islands and is usually found at deep depths, down to almost 500 feet. But during a survey, this fish was spotted much shallower, around 30 feet!”

“Many reef fish are endemic to Hawaii, meaning they are only found in these islands. A few examples are in the photo below, including the Milletseed Butterflyfish or lau wiliwili, in yellow, the Saddle Wrasse or hīnālea lauwili in the foreground, Gold Ring surgeonfish or Kole with gold ringed eyes, and finally in the background there is the Bandit Angelfish!”