Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant
Thursday September  2, 03:00:50 PM HST
Mahiki - (ma-he-key)   
To hop, jump or move up and down. (More Hawaiian)

  
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Indigenous
(Found In Hawai'i
and Elsewhere)
Common Name:Kihikihi (key-he-key-he) - Moorish Idol
The Kihikihi, or Moorish Idol
Scientific:Zanclus cornutus
Size:Up to 8 inches
Special:The only member of the Family Zanclidae
Habitat:Coastal tidal pools and reefs

The Kihikihi, or Moorish Idol, as it is more popularly referred to, is one of the classic and more striking fish easily found around the coasts of Hawai'i from sea level down to 600 feet. Vivid light yellow-white and black stripes adorn the fish and each pointed nose has a bright streak of orange.

Kihikihi are very fast and agile swimmers and can change direction very quickly. They tend to be more aggressive and often seem curious to swimmers in the area.

The primary source of food for KihiKihi are sponges that grow in the coral reefs and tidal pools. They fetch the sponges from crevices using the longer jaw they have developed.

While Kihikihi are most often seen as individuals, they can swim in schools of 4 to 6 individuals.


A small school of Kihikihi


In the mouth of a cave


Kihikihi in the Tidal Pools

   
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