Foa brachygramma (Jenkins, 1903)
This is an abundant fish on well-protected shores such as at Ala Moana, Kahana Bay and Kane`ohe Bay, O`ahu. It hides in seaweed, rubble and dead coral during the day in densities of up to six per square yard! It also enters brackish areas and even occurs in fresh water. Because few snorkelers or divers explore its environment, however, it is seen rarely. It is light gray-brown with dark edges to its scales. Unlike all other Hawaiian cardinalfishes (except the rarely-seen Waikiki Cardinalfish) the tail fin is rounded. To about 2 1/2 in. Indo-Pacific. Photo: Kewalo, O`ahu. 2 ft.