| Solenostomidae (Ghost pipefishes) |
| 17 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 25 m |
| Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Fiji, north to southern Japan, south to Australia. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 5-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-22; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 17-22; Vertebrae: 32-33. Color variable (from brown to pink or yellow) with small black and white spots; 2 elongate black spots between first 3 dorsal spines (Ref. 4263). Total body plates 27-35. Caudal fin truncate, rounded, or lanceolate. Caudal peduncle short or lost in large females (Ref. 48635). Pelvic fin sexually dimorphic, forming a brood pouch in females (Ref. 9829).
Description: Characterized by depth of body 15.7-25.0 % SL; least snout depth 4.2-8.2 % SL; depth of caudal peduncle 6.4-15.9 % SL; elongated caudal fin, length 35-52 % SL (Ref. 90102). |
| This uncommon species is found in coastal reefs and weedy areas (Ref. 5463) or lagoon reefs, often on algal flats or seagrass beds (Ref 90102). Monogamous, always in pairs (Ref. 52884). Females carry the eggs in their pelvic fins that are modified to form a brood pouch (Ref. 205). Feed on small crustaceans (Ref. 1602). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
|
Known from the west coast and Laccadives (Ref. 45255). Also Ref. 5463. |
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