Red sea fishesRed sea fishes

Red sea fishesRed sea fishes

  • Issue: January 2004
  • Designer: Tuvia Kurz- Habib Khoury
  • Stamp Size: 40 mm x 25.7 mm
  • Plate no.: 545-548 (one phosphor bar)
  • Sheet of 15 stamps Tabs: 5
  • Printers: Israel Government Printers
  • Method of printing: offset

The Red Sea is part of the tropical regions of the world that are characterized by coral reefs in which there are many unique life forms, with the richest biodiversity in the ocean environment. This series of stamps on reef fishes of the Red Sea presents typical representatives of this spectacular underwater world with its amazing colors and outstanding beauty.

Common name: Fridman's Dottyback
Scientific name: Pseudochromis fridmani

This is a small and delicate fish that is unique to the Red Sea. It lives in pairs or small groups in small crevices or along the steep slopes of the reef. Despite being shy, it is conspicuous due to its bright purple color. This fish is named after David Fridman, the Red Sea fish researcher and one of the founders of the Underwater Observatory in Eilat.

Common name: Scalefin Fairy Basslet
Scientific name:
Pseudanthias squamipinnis

This fish is very common in the Red Sea. It is found in large schools hovering in front of the reef wall where it feeds on small organisms drifting on sea currents. It is also common in the Indian Ocean and in the western Pacific Ocean. In this species, there is a clear differentiation by colour between maples and females.

Common name: Red Sea Anemonefish
Scientific name:
Amphiprion bicinctus

The female lays red egg clusters near the base of the sea anemone and both parents keep watch closely over their eggs.

Common name: Crown Butterflyfish
Scientific name:
Chaetodon paucifasciatu

This fish, found only in the Red Sea, is striking in its beauty among the reef fishes. It spends most of the day in pairs that zealously protect their territory from infiltration by other fish of their species. During the evening hours several pairs congregate and swim back and forth along the reef wall. Its pointed snout has a small mouth at its tip that enables it to feed on the polyps of corals.

Dr. Daniel Golani
Institute of Life Sciences
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

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Red sea fishes