Zaire year 1980 sea – marine life postage stamps set
In 1980, the Republic of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) released a popular and colorful set of postage stamps featuring Tropical Fish. This set is frequently sought after by topical collectors of marine life and “fishes on stamps.”
Set Details (Scott #974–981)
This issue is standard for the era, consisting of eight individual stamps and a larger souvenir sheet.
- Issue Date: October 20, 1980
- Total Stamps: 8 values + 1 Souvenir Sheet
- Catalog Numbers: * Scott: #974–981 (Stamps) and #981A (Souvenir Sheet)
- Michel: #664–671 (Stamps) and Block #38 (Souvenir Sheet)
- Yvert: #1041–1048 (Stamps) and Block #23 (Souvenir Sheet)
- Theme: Tropical Marine Life (African Coral Reefs)
Stamps in the Series
The set depicts various vibrant fish species found in the coastal and coral regions of Africa:
| Denomination | Species Featured | Common Name |
| 5k (Sengi) | Pterois volitans | Red Lionfish |
| 10k (Sengi) | Chaetodon lunula | Raccoon Butterflyfish |
| 15k (Sengi) | Balistoides conspicillum | Clown Triggerfish |
| 20k (Sengi) | Acanthurus lineatus | Blue-banded Surgeonfish |
| 25k (Sengi) | Zanclus cornutus | Moorish Idol |
| 30k (Sengi) | Pomacanthus imperator | Emperor Angelfish |
| 40k (Sengi) | Amphiprion bicinctus | Two-band Anemonefish |
| 50k (Sengi) | Heniochus acuminatus | Longfin Bannerfish |
The Souvenir Sheet (#981A) usually features a Black Triggerfish or a similar coral reef scene with high-value denominations (often 200k or similar depending on the surcharge version).
