Phoxocampus tetrophthalmus (Bleeker, 1858)
Trunk-barred pipefish
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 20 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Indonesia, including western Irian Jaya, the Philippines and Guam (Ref. 35721). Also recorded from Ryukyu Islands and Cocos Is.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-22; Anal soft rays: 3-4. Lateral trunk ridge runs to at least 13th tail ring (Ref. 48635). Description: Characterized by dark brown color with 9-11 narrow pale bars across back, extending onto upper side; presence of dark-edged pale bar on opercle of males and black bars on lower side and across ventral surface of trunk; 10 caudal rays; rings 15-16 + 28-30; continuous superior and inferior trunk ridge with respective tail ridges; length of snout 2.5-3.0 in head length; depth of snout 1.8-2.6 in snout length; head length 7.2-8.2 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Common in reef habitats. Found on soft bottoms (Ref. 48635). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 November 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.