Fantail File Fish

 

The pretty Fantail File fish (Pervagor spilosoma) is endemic to Hawai'i. Its Hawai'ian name is 'o'ili-'uwi'uwi. The body is yellowish in color, with black spots. The spotted pattern hints that its thin, leathery body might not be good to eat. Since it has few predators, it multiplies out of control and washes up on the beach. In old Hawai'i when this happened, it was dried and used as fuel. Its diet consists of primary gastroids, sponges, urchines, and algae. It is commonly found in shallow depths to 30 m. What makes this fish unique is the horn-like structure on top of its head that makes it looks like a unicorn.