Pempheris oualensis is easy to recognize from the deep body that leads some to call it a hatchetfish. They live on a range of reefs throughout the atoll, most commonly seen in caves in channels on the seaward reef during the day. Often they can be seen near the mouths of caves, where the first two photos were taken. At night they come out into the open to feed.
Several in a cave during the day.
The small individuals below were in dark tubes on a shallow Kwajalein lagoon shipwreck.
Created 6 December 2017