Time for a little tang

Not the thin, orange-colored drink of the 1960's, but surgeonfishes with the same name.

One of the most abundant fishes that we encounter each time we get in the water is the yellow tang (lau'ipala).  Often we see large groups grazing on algae.  Their moving yellow swarm brightens any snorkel excursion. This species reaches 8 inches.

Tang grazing

But today, I found one alone, soliciting cleaning from a charming little black fish with a brilliant blue stripe.  I've looked through Shore Fishes of Hawai'i, but couldn't identify it.

The cleaner is just above the dorsal fin of this yellow tang

Another tang that we see is the sailfin tang (maneoneo).  This species is larger, reaching up to 15 inches.