User:Taylor Nakamura/Hawaiian sea-moth fish

The Hawaiian sea-moth fish (Eurypegasus papilio) is a species of fish in the family Pegasidae. It is endemic to Hawaii.

One specimen was collected around the Midway Atoll located northwest of the Hawaiian Islands in a checklist done in 1993. The specimen that was collected was 6-7m in length, and no further details are listed.

It is currently unknown how many Eurypegasus papilio in the wild, however, two other species of sea moths, Pegasus volitans and Eurypegasus draconis, are accidentally caught in fishing gear and are sold live in the aquarium trade or as dried fish. Divers have noticed a decrease in abundance of the sea moths that were caught, as these fish remain in monogamous pairs.

Further evidence of monogamous pairs is supported by a 95.1% pairing success rate among 61 individuals. Fourteen pairs among the sea moths were tagged, and the data shows that they did not show signs of territory aggression. The sea moths occurred in low densities across the sea bed and commonly would spawn during the evening hour.

These species are commonly found at depths occurring around 30 meters below sea level. One species, P volitans, captures its prey by sucking in water. Majority of the specimens caught in this study were preserved and found no food in their digestive tract. Only one specimen, along with sand granules, included caprellideans.