Reef Fish of Pitcairn
Four colourful reef fish are featured in this latest WWF issue from the clear and unspoilt waters around the four islands that make up the Pitcairn Islands Group.
Flame Angelfish - Centropyge loriculus
Brightly coloured, the Flame angelfish are diurnal and feed primarily off sponges and algae. All species are hermaphrodites, starting life as females and changing sex later to males. They are most commonly found between the Hawaiian Islands, Great Barrier Reef and the Marshall Islands, but are widely dispersed throughout the Pacific. They frequent clear lagoons and seaward reefs.
Lemonpeel Angelfish - Centropyge flavissima
Growing up to 10cm, the Lemonpeel is characterised by its bright yellow colouring. Juveniles carry a black spot ringed in vivid blue. Found in less than 25M of water, they inhabit both Indian and Pacific oceans, but only defined areas within these oceans. They like to hide in their habitats and eat mainly algae.
Lined Butterflyfish - Chaetodon lineolatus
Characterised by a long snout and slightly rounded fins, the lined butterflyfish boasts black and yellow colouring and a white body featuring black dominant lines. Found in less than 30M, it feeds mainly on coral polyps, algae and sea anenomes. Its territory stretches throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Bicoloured Butterflyfish - Chaetodon smithi
Feeding on zooplankton and coral, the bicoloured is found between 10 and 30M. Its distinctive half black, half yellow colouring makes it easily recognisable within its defined distribution around Easter Island, French Polynesia and Pitcairn.
Designer: Sue Wickison, Wellington, New Zealand
Printer: Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand
Date of Issue: 23 June 2010 |