Palau – Endangered Wildlife – Streaked Spinefoot Fish – $1 – 2011 – Brilliant Uncirculated – Color! – Streaked Spinefoot fish, commonly known as Rabbitfish, grow to about 16 inches and have small, rabbit-like mouths, large dark eyes, and a shy temperament which gives them their name; the scientific name Siganus is simply the Latin term by which Mediterranean rabbitfish were known in Ancient Rome. Most species have either bright colors or a complex and interesting pattern. Rabbitfishes are found in shallow lagoons in the Indo-Pacific and eastern Mediterranean. Another unusual feature among Streaked Spinefoot is their pelvic fins, which are formed from two spines, with 3 soft rays between them. The fin spines are equipped with well-developed venom glands, which although not life-threatening to adult humans, can cause severe pain. All rabbitfish are diurnal, some live in school, while others live more solitary lives among the corals. They are herbivorous, feeding on benthic algae in the wild. Beautiful legal tender colored crown, part of the Endangered Wildlife series of coins that has been issued under the authority of the government of the Republic of Palau since 1992.

Palau – Endangered Wildlife – Mandarin Fish – $1 – 2011 – Brilliant Uncirculated – Color! – The Mandarinfish or Mandarin dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus), is a small, brightly-colored member of the dragonet family, which is popular in the saltwater aquarium trade. The mandarinfish is native to the Pacific, ranging approximately from the Ryukyu Islands south to Australia. The common name of the Mandarinfish comes from its extremely vivid coloration, evoking the robes of an Imperial Chinese mandarin. Other common names include Mandarin goby, Green mandarin, Striped mandarinfish, Striped dragonet, Green dragonet and sometimes Psychedelic mandarinfish. Beautiful legal tender colored crown, part of the Endangered Wildlife series of coins that has been issued under the authority of the government of the Republic of Palau since 1992.

Palau – Endangered Wildlife – Anemonefish – $1 – 2011 – Brilliant Uncirculated – Color! – Anemonefish are a unique group of fish that live amongst the tentacles of sea anemones. The anemone’s tentacles sting and paralyze most fish that brush against them. Fortunately, they have a layer of mucus covering their skin that prevents the anemones from stinging them. By seeking shelter amongst the sea anemone’s tentacles, the anemone fish are protected from other predatory fish that might otherwise see them as a meal. They are never found far from the protection of their host anemone. Scientists believe that these fish provide benefits to the anemones as well. The anemonefish drops scraps of food as it eats and the anemone cleans up the leftovers. Very territorial, they drive off butterfly fish and other anemone-eating fishes. Beautiful colored crown, part of the Endangered Wildlife series of coins that has been issued under the authority of the government of the Republic of Palau since 1992.