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Banded pipefish (Choeroichthys cinctus) — Syngnathidae

Banded pipefish

Choeroichthys cinctus
Family: Syngnathidae

The Banded pipefish (Choeroichthys cinctus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Fiji, Indonesia, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and others

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Description

The banded pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from shallow reef, weed and seagrass water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky, armoured, tubular body with dark crossbars and a short, tubular snout. As a calm dweller it shelters among coral rubble, weed and seagrass and sucks up minute crustaceans. As in all pipefishes the male carries the eggs until they hatch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded pipefish?

The Banded pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded pipefish live?

The Banded pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Fiji, Indonesia, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and others

How big does the Banded pipefish get?

The Banded pipefish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Banded pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded pipefish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Banded pipefish (Choeroichthys cinctus) — Syngnathidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Banded pipefish (Choeroichthys cinctus) — Syngnathidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Choeroichthys cinctus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Barred shortbody pipefish; Barred short-bodied pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Fiji, Indonesia, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Choeroichthys

More from the family Syngnathidae

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