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Adriatic pipefish (Syngnathus taenionotus) — Syngnathidae

Adriatic pipefish

Syngnathus taenionotus
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Adriatic pipefish (Syngnathus taenionotus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
19 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless
Range
Adriatic Sea and surroundings, in brackish lagoons, river deltas and seagrass beds of shallow, soft water.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Adriatic pipefish is a slender pipefish of the family Syngnathidae reaching about 19 cm. The thread-like body with bony rings has a long, tube-shaped snout with a small, upturned mouth, with which the fish sucks up small zooplankton; it often bears narrow, pale cross-bars. The species is largely tied to brackish lagoons, river deltas and seagrass beds of the Adriatic Sea and surroundings, in shallow, soft water. Among the seagrass its slender shape makes it almost invisible. As in all pipefishes the male carries the eggs: they mature in a brood pouch on his belly until the young hatch. Because of its small size and dependence on lagoons it is sensitive to degradation of that habitat.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Adriatic pipefish?

The Adriatic pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Slender pipefish with bony rings, a long tubular snout and often narrow, pale vertical bars; tied to brackish lagoons.

Where does the Adriatic pipefish live?

The Adriatic pipefish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds. Adriatic Sea and surroundings, in brackish lagoons, river deltas and seagrass beds of shallow, soft water.

How big does the Adriatic pipefish get?

The Adriatic pipefish grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Adriatic pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Adriatic pipefish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Adriatic pipefish edible?

The Adriatic pipefish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Adriatic pipefish (Syngnathus taenionotus) — Syngnathidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Roberto Pillon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Adriatic pipefish (Syngnathus taenionotus) — Syngnathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Roberto Pillon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Adriatic pipefish (Syngnathus taenionotus) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Roberto Pillon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Adriatic pipefish (Syngnathus taenionotus) — Syngnathidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Roberto Pillon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Easily confused with

These species look like the Adriatic pipefish and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Adriatic pipefish inferred
Scientific name
Syngnathus taenionotus
Family
Syngnathidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like verified
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish verified
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow verified
Natural range
Adriatic Sea and surroundings, in brackish lagoons, river deltas and seagrass beds of shallow, soft water. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Diet (detail)
Very small zooplankton, sucked up with the tubular snout sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified
Seasonality
Lives among seagrass in lagoons; the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch on his belly until they hatch. sourced
Special features
Slender pipefish with bony rings, a long tubular snout and often narrow, pale vertical bars; tied to brackish lagoons. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Syngnathus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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