Caracanthus typicus Kroyer, 1845
Orbicular velvetfishes (known in Australia as coral crouchers) are a very small family of laterally compressed, disklike fishes with venomous dorsal spines. Related to the scorpionfishes, all live deep within heads of branching coral. Their skin is covered with short hairlike projections (papillae) that produce a velvety texture. The Hawaiian species is gray with evenly covered with small red spots and generally lives in Cauliflower Coral (Pocillopora meandrina). Although easy to find, it is difficult to photograph; when disturbed, it just moves deeper into the coral. Endemic, but similar to C. maculatus from the western Pacific. To about 1.5 in. Photo: Kahe Point, O`ahu. 45 ft.