Home · Cheilodactylidae · Hawaiian morwong
Hawaiian morwong (Cheilodactylus vittatus) — Cheilodactylidae

Hawaiian morwong

Cheilodactylus vittatus

The Hawaiian morwong (Cheilodactylus vittatus) is a fish of the family Cheilodactylidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Hawaiian morwong is a morwong (Cheilodactylidae) from reef water of the central and western Pacific, including Hawaii. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a deep, white body with bold oblique blackish-brown bars and thickened, fleshy lips. As a bottom-oriented fish it picks small invertebrates from sand and reef bottoms with its elongated lower pectoral rays. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hawaiian morwong?

The Hawaiian morwong is mainly white and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Hawaiian morwong live?

The Hawaiian morwong is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Hawaiian morwong get?

The Hawaiian morwong grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Hawaiian morwong dangerous to humans?

No, the Hawaiian morwong is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hawaiiaanse morwong sourced
English name
Hawaiian morwong sourced
Scientific name
Cheilodactylus vittatus
Family
Cheilodactylidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
40 sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cheilodactylus

More from the family Cheilodactylidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →