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local Monday 12 May 2025

Planning on snorkeling? Get to know our Candelchi!

(Oranjestad)—If you’re ever ment of Agriculture, Live- distinguishing them by spe-
planning on snorkeling dur- stock, and Fisheries, known cies. In this picture, we are

ing your vacation on Aruba, as Santa Rosa, offers this showing the most common
you may spot fish that you informative article that il- one in our waters, which is
can’t recognize. One of lustrate some fish and their called squirrelfish in English or
these may be the “Candel- names in Papiamento. scientifically known as Holo-
chi” (Squirrelfish), a com- centrus adscensionis.
mon, yet shy fish that swims Candelchi, Squirrelfish, Ho-
all year long in the waters locentrus adscensionis: Under candelchi, we in
of Aruba. Candelchi actually refers to Aruba generally refer to all
the entire squirrelfish family the different species of squir-
Let's talk about the names of or, as some say, when we say relfish. They all look alike and
fish. Do you know your fish? candelchi, we mean several it's really difficult to distinguish
The Department of Depart- different species but without between them.

ferent marks such as color on
The squirrelfish family is dis- the dorsal spine or marks on
tinguished by the following the body.
characteristics. They are
heart-shaped with pink or red In Aruba:
hues and often show heart- Candelchi are found on
shaped streaks between reefs or areas with structure
the scales along the body. in the water where they can
They have hard fins and are hide. Although they prefer to
always armed. Over at our hunt for food at night, they
sister island Curaçao, they are also active during the
are called "bari di clabo" day. They are edible and
(nail barrel) for that reason. delicious when prepared
dry and crispy with lime. It
In our waters, there are 7 to 8 is particularly challenging to
types or species present and scale the fish, which is why
they are sometimes caught it is not one of the favorites
and seen occasionally. They among fishermen. They often
can be distinguished by dif- live in groups.q

Aruba to me

ORANJESTAD — You are back or still enjoying your
vacation?... we would like to portrait you! By inviting
you to send us your favorite vacation picture while
enjoying our Happy Island.

Complete the sentence: Aruba to me is ……. Send
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