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Bull pipefish (Syngnathus springeri) — Syngnathidae

Bull pipefish

Syngnathus springeri
Family: Syngnathidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bull pipefish (Syngnathus springeri) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
11.0–128.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; deeper coastal water on the continental shelf.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The bull pipefish is a large pipefish of the family Syngnathidae occurring in the western Atlantic, usually in deeper coastal water between 18 and 127 metres. The species has a strongly elongate, slender body armoured with bony rings, a tubular snout and a small mouth, and reaches about 38 cm. With the suction snout it catches small zooplankton and crustaceans. As in other pipefishes the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch under the tail, where the young develop. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bull pipefish?

The Bull pipefish has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Tubular sucking snout and a body armoured with bony rings; the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch.

Where does the Bull pipefish live?

The Bull pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic; deeper coastal water on the continental shelf.

How big does the Bull pipefish get?

The Bull pipefish grows to a maximum of about 38 cm.

Is the Bull pipefish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Bull pipefish edible?

The Bull pipefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Bull pipefish verified
Scientific name
Syngnathus springeri
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Bull pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped 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)
11.0 verified
Max depth (m)
128.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; deeper coastal water on the continental shelf. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and crustaceans 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
Tubular sucking snout and a body armoured with bony rings; the male carries the eggs in a brood pouch. 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 Syngnathus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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