Republic of the Philippines - Stamps & Postal History

 

RP Issues of 2010

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2010, November 8.  Philippine Marine Biodiversity - Definitives 

Litho Offset.  Amstar Company, Inc.  Perf. 13.5

Singles, Sheets of 100  (10 x 10)

         

             

       

 

 

     10p  -  Ribbon Eel - Singles   (6,990,000)

 

Design Coordinators:  Victorino Z. Serevo;  Elenita D.L. San Diego

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

 

First Day Covers:  Manila

 

 


Ribbon Eel (Rhinomuraena Quaesita). The ribbon eel is an elegant creature with a long, thin body and high dorsal fins. The ribbon eel can easily be recognized by its expanded anterior nostrils. Juveniles and sub-adults are jet black with a yellow dorsal fin, while females are yellow with a black anal fin with white margins on the fins. The adult males are blue with a yellow dorsal fin.

The ribbon eel grows to an overall length of approximately 100 cm (36 in), and has a life span of up to twenty years.

Like many eels, the ribbon eel is sometimes thought to be angry or aggressive, because its mouth is often open, appearing ready to strike. In reality, the eel is simply breathing.

In the wild, the ribbon eel buries itself in sand or hides in rocks or reefs, dashing out to feed on shrimp, samin, and other fish.

Because most ribbon eels do not live longer than a month in captivity, some feel that this species should never be purchased. Ribbon eels have been observed in nearly every case to stop eating after being captured, although there are reports of them surviving and eating in captivity for 2 years or more. There is at least one case of a Ribbon Eel living 25 years in captivity.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribbon_eel)

TOPICAL CATEGORIES

 

  • Marine Biodiversity

  • Marine Life

 

Articles by Dr. Ngo Tiong Tak

 

 

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Issues of 2010