manini >>> convict tang >>> (Acanthurus triostegus)
a common reef fish, the manini usually is not larger than 10 inches in length... it has six vertical black bands on its body that resemble prison bars, hence the name "convict" tang... the manini usually swims in large schools... its stripes and light greenish coloration provide good camoflauge while feeding on algae growing along the reef... the name of the fish corresponds to its size because the word "manini" can also mean "small" in local hawaiian slang... (eg: "ho brah!! that fish you speared is so manini!!! meaning that you speared a really small fish and not necessarily a real "manini")...

the story... july 05' marked my annual dive trip to kauai... this year the winds were stronger than normal and although the week of diving was full of uluas, kumus, uhus, and sharks, i was also able to enjoy a day of oama fishing with my friend Seth Y. and a day of throw net with uncle Ken S. ... uncle Ken is a throw net master, and he is one of the few people able to catch uhu using his throw net... he has the eyes of an eagle and the reef walking skills of a ninja... a school of maninis came into the shallows without even knowing that uncle ken was perched on a coral head with his net ready to cast... a quick set and release and about 40 maninis were covered...