Home · Syngnathidae · Brushtail pipefish
Brushtail pipefish (Leptoichthys fistularius) — Syngnathidae

Brushtail pipefish

Leptoichthys fistularius
Family: Syngnathidae

The Brushtail pipefish (Leptoichthys fistularius) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 63 cm.

Length
63 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

Want the complete picture on the Brushtail pipefish?

Get the app

Description

The brushtail pipefish is the largest pipefish (Syngnathidae) in the world, from coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 63 cm and has a very slender, bony-ringed, brown-green body with a long, tubular snout. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among dense seagrass meadows and weed and sucks in minute crustaceans. The male carries the eggs until they hatch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brushtail pipefish?

The Brushtail pipefish has a snake-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Brushtail pipefish live?

The Brushtail pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Brushtail pipefish get?

The Brushtail pipefish grows to a maximum of about 63 cm.

Is the Brushtail pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Brushtail 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

Brushtail pipefish (Leptoichthys fistularius) — Syngnathidae — 2
mochasquirrel (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Brushtail pipefish (Leptoichthys fistularius) — Syngnathidae — 3
mochasquirrel (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Brushtail pipefish (Leptoichthys fistularius) — Syngnathidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Wayne Leifert (scubawayne), some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Brushtail pipefish (Leptoichthys fistularius) — Syngnathidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Dan Monceaux (CC BY 3.0)
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Brushtail pipefish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Brushtail pipefish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Brushtail pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Leptoichthys fistularius
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Brush-tailed pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
63.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia 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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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

More from the family Syngnathidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Brushtail pipefish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Brushtail pipefish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Brushtail pipefish? Get the app