Colors: Juveniles are bright red with five white spots along its sides. Adults are red, fading to brown from the head posteriorly, covered in irridescent blue spots and, its namesake, have a yellow tail.

Length: 15 inch maximum
Habitat: The juveniles are quite skitish and can be seen darting for shelter beneath a rock in flat, backreef areas. Adults are diurnal (daytime) feeders and are seen foraging similar areas, usually rooting around in the sand.
Distribution: From Hawaii westward to the Red Sea and south through Central Polynesia.

Editor's Note: The yellowtail coris was first described to science in 1824 by M. Joseph Gaimard, from whom the fish received its specific name, on a French research expedition to Hawaii.

Featured Shell

Tiger Cowrie: Cypraea Tigris) This beautiful mollusk is somewhat common among the shallow reefs of Hawaiian waters. Gaining its name from the distinctive coloration of its shell, this animal is the largest of its kind in this area of the Pacific Oce an and a prized find for shell collectors.

Colors: Though not striped like a tiger, more leopard spotted, coloration covers a broad spectrum from almost white to yellow and orange to nearly black. In all cases the background provides a vivid contrast for the dark spots.
Size: Up to six inches or 150 mm in length.
Habitat: A curious diver can locate these cowries on the reef under ledges and on the walls and ceilings of caves and swim-throughs. They are commonly found in pairs with its sexual partner, or feeding with its mantle exposed.
Distribution: they are widespread thoughout the Indo-Pacific area from the Maldives to Hawaii.

Editor's Note: Commercial shell trade has negatively influenced the abundance of this species. Due to its fragile shell, whole specimens are rarely found uninhabitated. Keep this in mind the next time you go shopping.

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