Squirrel Fish
of the
Pitcairn Islands

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.