Squirrel Fish
of the
Pitcairn Islands
The
Squirrel fish of Pitcairn stamp
issue follows on from our Butterflies of the Reef issue, also the work
of artist Sue Wickison, which was released two years ago.
Four of the many fish of the Holocentridae family, commonly found
around the reefs of Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, in the Pitcairn
group, are featured in this issue. Squirrel fish, as they are
known, are mainly red in colour. They all have distinctive large
mouths and eyes, the latter due to their nocturnal feeding
habits. Their large spines are venomous and wounds from these can
be very painful.

The 40c stamp shows the Crown Squirrel Fish Sargocentron diadema.
Identifiable by its distinctive stripes, the Crown Squirrel Fish
inhabits the sub-tidal reef flats of the lagoons and the seaward sides
of the reefs, to a depth of 30 metres or more. It feeds around
the reef ledges or crevices either singly or in groups and roams more
openly at night. It has a distinctive dorsal fin and grows to
around 13cm.
The Long Jawed Squirrel Fish Sargocentron spiniferum is featured on the
80c stamp. Growing up to 36cm, this is the largest species of
squirrel fish. It inhabits the reefs and lagoons to depths
greater than 120 metres, feeding on crabs, shrimps and small fishes,
mostly venturing out at night.

The $1.50 stamp depicts the Tailspot Squirrel Fish Sargocentron
caudimaculatum. This distinctive fish grows to 21cm and is found
in outer reef slopes dropping through depths ranging from 6 to 40
metres. Hiding in holes and ledges during the day, it feeds
mostly at night in these rich coral growth areas.
The Bloodspot Squirrel Fish
Neoniphon samara, featured on the $3.00 stamp and on the sheetlet, is
the most common of the squirrel fish, growing to 24cm. The
Bloodspot Squirrel Fish inhabits the seagrass beds of lagoons and the
seaward reefs. It is less secretive than other squirrel fish,
moving about in small groups through branching corals and rocks at
night, feeding upon small crabs and shrimps at depths of 45 metres or
more.
Technical Details
Release Date
8 October 2003
Denominations
40c, 80c, $1.50, $3.00 (4 stamps)
Miniature sheet
$3.00
Stamp Design
Sue Wickison, Wellington, NZ
Printer
Joh Enschede, The Netherlands
Process
Offset Lithography
Paper
Sopal Satimat 110gsm
Stamp Size
36mm x 36mm
Miniature Sheet Size 100mm x 80mm horizontal die cut
Pane
2 x panes 25 stamps
Perforation Gauge 13.25 per
2cm
First Day Cover
$6.70 with four stamps
$4.00 with miniature
sheet