Republic of the Philippines - Stamps & Postal History

RP Issues of 2011

 

HOMEPAGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

2011, January 20.  Marine Biodiversity (Definitive)

Litho Offset.  Amstar Company, Inc.  Perf. 13.5

Singles, Sheets of 100  (10 x 10)

   7p   Striped Surgeonfish - Singles (3,000,000)

 

Source:  Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific by Dr. Terence Gosliner

 

First Day Cover:  Manila

   

Striped Surgeonfish (Acanthurus Lineatus)

The Striped Surgeonfish has a yellowish head and body with prominent horizontal blue stripes edged with black. On the head, the stripes converge around the eye. The lower part of the body is pale blue. The tail is black with blue margins. It has a long spine on the tail stem that can cause a painful wound.  Other Names.  Lined Surgeonfish, Clown Surgeonfish, Clown Tang.  (http://www.ozanimals.com/Fish/Striped-Surgeonfish/Acanthurus/lineatus.html)

Found singly or in small groups on shallow reef flats, slopes and gutters usually exposed to surge currents.  Males are often found with a harem of females.  Small juveniles secretive among rubble boulders.  They feed on plankton and algae.  Length - 35cm, Depth - 1-10m.

Surgeonfish have a blade like spine in the tail that points outwards when bent, unicorns have two hook-like plates along the tail, these are used for defense and are as sharp as a surgeons scalpel, hence the name "Surgeonfish".  (http://www.whatsthatfish.com/fish/striped-surgeonfish/394)

 

TOPICAL CATEGORIES

 

  • Marine Biodiversity

 

Articles by Dr. Ngo Tiong Tak

 

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Issues of 2011