Description
''Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis'' grow to a maximum length of around . As juveniles, these fish are dark orange in color, with blue chevron marks on their sides. These marks are where this fish receives its name. As the fish ages, it turns black in color with blue horizontal stripes. The mouth on this fish is typically puckered, and they have a row of 30 teeth. Like all surgeonfish, ''C. hawaiiensis'' have a sharp spines on each side of their caudal peduncle that they use for defense. The spines are relatively small when compared to other surgeonfish.Distribution
''Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis'' are found throughout parts of the Central Pacific Ocean, namely the Hawaiian Islands. They have been seen as far west as Micronesia.Habitat
As juveniles, ''C. hawaiiensis'' are found solitary in areas dense with coral, typically 60–100 feet below the waters surface. Adults can be found closer to the surface in surging water, which is typically highly oxygenated as a result of increased surface tension. As adults, they are known to be found in non-reef environments.References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1246209 Acanthuridae Fish described in 1955