Page 14 - AHATA

Tuesday 29 July 2025 locAl
A10

Planning on snorkeling? Get to know our Candelchi!

(Oranjestad)—If you’re Candelchi, Squirrelfish,
ever planning on snorkel- Holocentrus adscensionis:
ing during your vacation Candelchi actually refers
on Aruba, you may spot to the entire squirrelfish
fish that you can’t recog- family or, as some say,
nize. One of these may be when we say candelchi,
the “Candelchi” (Squir- we mean several differ-
relfish), a common, yet shy ent species but without
fish that swims all year long distinguishing them by spe- them. for that reason. reefs or areas with struc-
in the waters of Aruba. cies. In this picture, we are ture in the water where
showing the most common The squirrelfish family is dis- In our waters, there are 7 they can hide. Although
Let’s talk about the names one in our waters, which is tinguished by the following to 8 types or species pres- they prefer to hunt for food
of fish. Do you know your called squirrelfish in English characteristics. They are ent and they are some- at night, they are also ac-
fish? The Department of or scientifically known as heart-shaped with pink or times caught and seen tive during the day. They
Department of Agricul- Holocentrus adscensionis. red hues and often show occasionally. They can be are edible and delicious
ture, Livestock, and Fisher- heart-shaped streaks be- distinguished by different when prepared dry and
ies, known as Santa Rosa, Under candelchi, we in tween the scales along marks such as color on the crispy with lime. It is par-
offers this informative arti- Aruba generally refer to the body. They have hard dorsal spine or marks on ticularly challenging to
cle that illustrate some fish all the different species of fins and are always armed. the body. scale the fish, which is why
and their names in Papia- squirrelfish. They all look Over at our sister island it is not one of the favorites
mento. alike and it’s really diffi- Curaçao, they are called In Aruba: among fishermen. They of-
cult to distinguish between “bari di clabo” (nail barrel) Candelchi are found on ten live in groups.q

Place names in San Nicolas and their origins

(Oranjestad)--If you’re “Colored Hill”. Sero Colo- well known and beloved of the name San Nicolas Nicolaas van der Biest was
ever taking a tour of Aru- rado has deep historical for his kindness and good has so far two different ac- a successful landowner
ba, San Nicolas would ties with the once-thriving treatment of his employ- counts. In the literal sense, during the time of the
definitely be on your itiner- phosphate industry in the ees, and was therefore “San Nicolas” translates to phosphate boom in late
ary. From relaxing on the area. Matter of fact, there also called Vader Piet “Saint Nicolas”, leading 19th century Aruba. Back
white, sandy beaches of are still underground shafts (Father Piet). However, he many to believe that this then, landowners (most, if
Baby and Roger’s Beach, and passages deep in Sero was tragically murdered— district was named after a not all of them men) were
to exploring the prehistoric Colorado from the time of some speculate at the Spanish saint. Though one referred to as “Shon” by
caves of Quadirikiri and phosphate mining. In 1958, hands of a slave. For his account does support this their subordinates. So,
Fontein, you are taking the refinery at the time, work and good heart, the with the theory that the the district was originally
in a full view of what San Lago, adopted this name area was named after district was named after named after Shon Nico-
Nicolas has to offer. But for the residential section him. the saint by Spanish colo- laas. Over time, the name
did you know that you are of its employees. nizers, the other account is evolved into what is now
also passing through areas San Nicolas much less divine, but does San Nicolas. q
whose names have histori- Vader Piet Of course we can’t forget refer to an influential figure
cal origins? Here are a few Another well visited area, San Nicolas itself. Much in the area. Source: “Aruba: Short History”
place names in San Nico- Vader Piet is located in like Vader Piet, the origin by Dr. J. Hartog.
las and their origin story. the Arikok National Park.
Recognizable sites within
Sero Colorado this area includes the Wind
On your way to Baby or Mills and the Quadirikiri
Roger’s Beach, you’ll pass Cave. The origin of this
by the famous Red Anchor name is part historical and
at what was once the en- speculation, as there are
trance to the Colony resi- slight deviations from what
dential community and actually happened.
be greeted with red soiled
hills by the coast. This is In 1829, Pieter Lampe was
Sero Colorado. Named a planter and the person
after the 30-meter, deep responsible for govern-
red, limestone hill, “Sero ing this remote area. As
Colorado” translates to the story goes, Pieter was