Palau. 1 Dollar 2015. 11 mm. 0.5 g. Gold .9999. Proof. Mintage: 10000 pcs.; 5 Dollars 2015. 25 g. 38.61 mm. Silver. 925. Proof. Mintage: 1500 pcs.; 1 Dollar 2015. 25 g. 38.61 mm. Silver-plated copper. Proof. Mintage: 5000 pcs. Design: Coin Invest Trust. Mint: B. H. Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt, Munich.
Description
The obverse features three mermaids on a rock as well as the name of the issuing state, the nominal value, and the year of issue.
Continuing the style of the series, the reverse of the gold coin depicts one White Tail Damselfish, the other two issues each feature five fish in colour against a stylised coral. Engraved above are the name of the series, MARINE LIFE PROTECTION, and DASCYLLUS ARUANUS.
Story
The distinctly coloured White Tail Damselfish (Dascyllus aruanus) belongs to the family of the Pomacentridae. Its alternative name, banded Dascyllus, is derived from its three broad, black bands, which beautifully contrast with its otherwise white body. The fish is native to the Western Pacific and a large region that stretches all the way from Japan to Sydney, the Line Islands, to the Marquesas Islands and finally the Tuamotu Archipelago.
Lagoons and coastal reefs are the White Tail Damselfish’s preferred habitat, where large groups of it populate the stony corals (Acropora) that branch out over wide areas. When in more open waters, it prefers smaller, single coral stocks. The damselfish feeds on seaweed, small invertebrates and zooplankton. Fans of fishkeeping around the world value this low-maintenance fish species, even though the fish display territorial aggression towards newcomers and during the mating season.
To attract a female for mating, the male performs a kind of “dance” a good meter above the potential nest site. When spawning, the female releases more than 1000 eggs on solid ground. Both parental animals take care of the eggs before the larvae hatch after three to five days. The juvenile fish live in the pelagic zone until they move to stony coral colonies as adult fish.
Highlights
The White Tail Damselfish presents yet another colourful addition to the popular “Marine Life Protection” series, issued for the Pacific island state Palau.
