Republic of the Philippines - Stamps & Postal History

RP Issues of 2013

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2013, April 23.  Philippines Marine Biodiversity - Definitives

Litho Offset.  Amstar Company, Inc.  Perf 13.5

Singles, Sheets of 100

                  

 

 

10p  Long-Nosed Butterflyfish - Singles (900,000)

 

 

First Day Covers:  Manila

 

   

 

 

LONG-NOSED BUTTERFLYFISH (Forcipiger Flavissimus)

This Butterflyfish confuse predators by disguising their eyes. A dark eye band covers the eye, hiding it from sight. On the tail they sport a large dark false eyespot. This makes the predator think they are looking at a larger animal than the butterflyfish.

Region:  Philippines

Appearance:     Although it is somewhat small, up to 6 inches (22 cm) long, the longnose butterflyfish has a super flat body, which allows them to dart in and out of narrow escape routes on the reef. They have long thin spines in their dorsal fins or fins on the back, and in their anal fins or fins in the belly near the tail.    Bright colors and designs help most of the butterflyfish disappear against the many colors of the reef. When butterflyfish wear stripes and spots, predators can’t quite tell what shape and size it really is. Juvenile butterflyfish look different, and in many instances, completely different from their adult form. The colors, patterns and even shape of the face change once a butterflyfish matures. At night when they are resting, the colors of butterflyfish become muted, helping them hide within coral head or inside reef caves and crevices.

Habitat:     Long-nosed butterflyfish swim alone or in small groups up to five fish on seaward reefs or reefs near the open ocean and in lagoons at depths of 3 to 380 feet (1 to 114 m). This fish sticks close to reef walls. Juveniles hide inside branching corals or in areas packed with corals. Butterflyfish are diurnal or active during the day.

Range:   Longnose butterflyfish live in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean.

http://sea.sheddaquarium.org/sea/fact_sheets.asp?id=86

 

 

TOPICAL CATEGORIES

 

  • Fishes

 

Articles by Dr. Ngo Tiong Tak

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Issues of 2013