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PHOTO: NORBERT POTENSKY / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

What does a fish have to do with a helicopter? Jennifer F., membership programs manager, thinks the Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) looks like one because she finds that they seem to hover in the water like tiny little helicopters. This behaviour is one reason why she nominated this fish for Novembers Staff Pick of the Month.

These tropical fish are among Jennifers favourite animals at the Aquarium. Now its your turn to take a closer look to find out what makes them so special.

ACTIVITY QUESTIONS

How would you describe Banggai cardinalfish? Are they big or small? Wide or thin? One colour or many colours? Are they patterned with spots, stripes or zigzags? Write or draw what you observe below.

Banggai CardinalfishPterapogon kauderni

Vancouver AquariumACTIVITY SHEETNOVEMBER 2013

STAFF PICKOF THE MONTH

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Why do you think they look the way you have described? How does their appearance help them live in their habitat?

Where could this fish go to hide? Does its colour and shape help it here?

Banggai cardinalfish are only found in the waters off the Banggai Islands, Indonesia. Because they are found in such a specific area, and there are not that many of them, they are threatened by over-collection for the pet fish trade. By raising babies at the Aquarium, we are helping visitors like you learn more about them without taking them from the ocean. Do you see any babies today? They usually seek shelter within the spines of the hatpin urchins (Diadema setosum).

Vancouver, B.C.

Banggai Islands,Indonesia