Image 7-25
Hawaiian Reef Fish

This image of a coral reef was taken by NOAA photographer Claire Fackler in the waters off the coast of Hawaii. A group of convict tangs (Acanthurus triostegus) can be seen above the stony corals. Convict tangs are actually a type of surgeonfish. The get their name from the numerous vertical black stripes on their sides. This is one of hundreds of fish species that make their home in the coral reefs of Hawaii. The coral reefs provide shelter and protection for the fish. Without the reef most would not survive the predators.