Flagtail Tilefish

The FLAGTAIL TILEFISH (called maka'a) is often seen in pairs, swimming by rippling their anal and dorsal fins.  Because they're able to swim so efficiently and quickly, predators have a hard time catching them.  They're most commonly seen on leeward sides of the islands in sand and rubble, often close to their burrow which they build with their mouths.  They are bluish-white in color and have two black stripes on their tail fins.  

They must be approached slowly with subtle movements or they will quickly dive head first into their burrows.