Family Latridae

Morwongs

Morwongs are an unusual family in terms of their appearance and anti-tropical distribution.  They are partial to subtropical locations including Japan, Australia, and Hawaii and feed upon small invertebrates.  They are more active than hawkfishes, roaming about the reef in search of food.  Family formerly Cheilodactylidae, genus name formerly Cheilodactylus.

 

HAWAII

Goniistius vittatus   

Morwongs sleeping, Fish Hole, Midway, 40 feet, 24mm

Fish Hole, Midway Atoll, 35 feet

 

Fish Hole, Midway Atoll, 35 feet

Fish Hole, Midway Atoll, 35 feet

 

 HAWAIIAN MORWONG        KIKAKAPU        Hawaiian Migimaki

Endemic to Hawaii.  Common in the NWHI but normally deeper than 100 feet in the main Hawaiian  Islands.  Up to 16 inches.  A nocturnal species that feeds upon small invertebrates.

JAPAN

Goniistius quadricornis

Osezaki, Izu, Japan, 40 feet

 

MORWONG    Yudachi-takanoha

Found in deeper scuba depths from Honshu to Taiwan.  Attains 15 inches.

Goniistius zebra

Yawatano, Izu, Japan, 50 feet

 

REDLIP MORWONG    Migimaki

Uncommon at scuba depths in Japan and Taiwan.  Attains 11 inches.

Goniistius zonatus

Osezaki, Izu, Japan, 40 feet

 

SPOTTEDTAIL MORWONG    Takanohadai

Common at scuba depths from central Japan to Hong Kong.  Attains 17 inches.  Raised by aquaculture in Japan for sashimi.

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