This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll. It appears somewhat similar to Canthigaster janthinoptera from the Marshalls. It is a very common species in Hawaii.
I used to see a fair number of these with swollen bellies while diving for nudibranchs along the edge of Magic Island, in the channel leading into the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor in Honolulu. They were found to be infested with an internal parasitic worm. It did make me wonder if I should be diving there.
Created 22 October 2010
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