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National Park of American Samoa butterfly fish at Ofu Lagoon.
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National Park of American Samoa
Fishes
 
Acanthurus guttatus, maogo, whitespotted surgeonfish.
NPS | PETER CRAIG
Maogo or whitespotted surgeonfish, Acanthurus guttatus, at an Ofu reef.
 

Park waters are clear and warm with abundant fish.  View the park's list of fishes (with many illustrations).

 

Because the National Park contains extensive marine environments from the shorelines of four separate islands out to ocean depths beyond the outer reefs, we assume that the majority of the 991 fish species representing 113 families recorded in Samoan waters are likely also found in or near the park. This is about twice the number occurring in Hawaii, but half the number in the Indo-Pacific region. Dominant families are damselfish (Pomacentridae), surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), wrasse (Labridae) and parrotfish (Scaridae).

 
Safety Caution.  The channels, or ava, draining tide or surge buildup from the park's lagoons carry very strong rip currents.  Beware of these areas.
 Coral head button
Coral Inventory
More than 200 species, many illustrated
more...
 Lined tang button
Fish Inventory
Lots of pictures of our local fishes
more...
sea slug
Marine Invertebrates,
illustrated list
more...

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A humpback whale breaches almost entirely out of the water

Did You Know?
During the warm months of the southern hemisphere, Samoa’s humpback whales feed in the rich Antarctica waters, 3,200 miles to the south. When Antarctic's bitter winter sets in, humpbacks seek warmer waters, migrating northward, towards Australia and Tonga. At least some migrate onward to Samoa.

Last Updated: December 22, 2011 at 20:29 MST