Moorish Idols in Hawaii
Moorish Idols are among the easiest reef fish to recognize in Hawaii. They have tall, flat bodies with bold black, white and yellow bands. Their long trailing dorsal filament gives them a graceful look as they move through the water.
In Hawaiian, Moorish Idols are called kihikihi. They are often seen around coral reefs, reef edges, rocky reef areas and lagoons. They may swim alone, in pairs or in small groups.
How to Recognize Them
The color pattern is the first clue. Look for a thin, disk-like fish with strong black, white and yellow stripes. The long streamer from the dorsal fin is another helpful feature, especially when the fish glides past in clear water.
Moorish Idols can look a little like butterflyfishes at first. Both have flat bodies and bright patterns. But Moorish Idols belong to a different family, and their long dorsal filament helps set them apart. They also swim mainly with their pectoral fins, giving them a smooth, floating motion.
Feeding and Reef Habitat
Moorish Idols feed on reef-based foods such as sponges, coral polyps and small invertebrates. Their narrow snout helps them pick food from small cracks and reef surfaces.
When watching Moorish Idols, move slowly and give them room to feed. Their bold colors and calm gliding style make them a favorite sight for snorkelers. Related pages include the Hawaii fish guide, butterflyfishes, angelfishes, wrasses and Hawaii snorkeling tours.
