Spawning, Angel Ledge, Midway Atoll, 85 feet

Subadult, Hanauma Bay, Oahu, 4 feet

Fish Hole, Midway, 20 feet

Pitt Stop, Midway, 20 feet

Courting male, Pitt Stop, Midway, 20 feet

Pitt Stop, Midway, 20 feet

Pearl & Hermes Reef, NWHI, 10 feet

Pearl & Hermes Reef, NWHI, 10 feet

Gardner Pinnacles, NWHI, 25 feet

Midway East Lagoon

Reef's End, Molokini, 70 feet

Reef's End, Molokini, 70 feet

Adults are scarce around islands with fishing activity, but dominate reefs as apex carnivores in the protected Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.  Juveniles frequent murky bays and harbors.  Courting males may appear black.  An aggressive fish that will bite anything out of curiosity including divers and boat propellers.  Frequently implicated in cases of ciguatera poisoning.  Attains at least 5 feet and 150 pounds.  Red Sea to French Polynesia.