Photo: John Burns / NOAA · Public domain (U.S. government) · Source and license. Displayed as a resized crop. Photograph illustrates the species.
Habitat
Seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and sheltered coastal bays
Habitat zone
Shallow coastal feeding waters; juveniles also use the open ocean
Viewing activities
Snorkeling · Scuba diving
Field context
Juveniles leave open-ocean waters for shallow coastal feeding grounds; seagrass and algae are key foods.
Observing responsibly
Often grazes in shallow water. Observe without approaching or blocking its route to the surface.
When to look
The available records do not establish a reliable local viewing season. Use the map’s month filter to inspect dated observations; it does not predict an encounter.
WHERE HAS IT BEEN RECORDED?
Explore the featured regions
These dated records show past presence. They do not establish today’s abundance, guarantee a sighting, or describe the species’ entire range.
Hawaiʻi
Recorded here
6,976 OBIS records in the regional query · snapshot 2026-09-12.
Individual records in this sample do not supply habitat or depth. Use the species reference above for biological context.
