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Bentstick pipefish (Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus) — Syngnathidae

Bentstick pipefish

Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bentstick pipefish (Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–42.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; shallow reefs with algae or seagrass.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The double-ended pipefish is a pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a long, straight body armoured with bony rings and a tube-shaped snout; the colour varies from grey-brown to greenish. It lives on shallow lagoon and seaward reefs, usually among algae or seagrass, where it lies stock-still on the bottom. With its snout it sucks up small zooplankton. The male carries the eggs. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bentstick pipefish?

The Bentstick pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Long, straight armoured body; lies motionless among algae and seagrass, the male carries the eggs.

Where does the Bentstick pipefish live?

The Bentstick pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; shallow reefs with algae or seagrass.

How big does the Bentstick pipefish get?

The Bentstick pipefish grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Bentstick pipefish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Bentstick pipefish edible?

The Bentstick pipefish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Bentstick pipefish (Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus) — Syngnathidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Bentstick pipefish (Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus) — Syngnathidae — 3
Jens Sommer-Knudsen (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Bentstick pipefish (Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) mattdowse, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bentstick pipefish (Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus) — Syngnathidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bentstick pipefish verified
Scientific name
Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Bend stick pipefish; Bent stick pipefish; Chocolate pipefish; Double-ended pipefish; Short-tailed pipefish; Ringed pipefish; Stick pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
42.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; shallow reefs with algae or seagrass. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Long, straight armoured body; lies motionless among algae and seagrass, the male carries the eggs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 sourced
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 Trachyrhamphus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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