MYSTERY TRIGGERFISH
       I saw several of these beautiful blue triggerfish with golden fins at the dive site called "Koko Craters" in Moanalua Bay, O`ahu, on November 9, 2003. All were about 4-5 inches long. Depth was about 30 ft. I had to ask Dr. Randall of the Bishop Museum what they were. He identified them as Pinktail Triggerfish (Melichthys vidua) transforming from the pelagic larval stage (mostly transparent) to bottom-dwelling juveniles. Because this fish transforms at an unusually large size and because its color at this time differs considerably from that of the adult, it has fooled more than one ichthyologist. Several ichthylogists, in fact, actually described transforming juveniles as a new species!